Final preparations and movements to the northern end of the bay are the chores for crews in both fle...

1. Sail-World.com : Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race
Final preparations and movements to the northern end of the bay are the chores for crews in both
fleets of the APC Logistics MYCQ 50th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.
Yesterday Jim Fern and the boys were underneath the recently purchased Hasta La Vista trimaran
and she looked like a fine way to challenge the condomarans in the expected light winds up the
coast. I have it on good authority that their rig has been retuned, and multihull godfather Geoff
Cruse was in there fibreglassing around the slippery looking stern area, while at his house a repair
to one of Renaissance's depth sounding centreboards was curing in the Queensland sun.
Last night's briefing at MYCQ HQ provided a good insight into the likely winners with the traditional
Calcutta bidding going feverish on the hottest boats with the hottest crews. At the top of the list are
Rhythmic, Renaissance, BOQ Team Australia, Morticia and Fantasia. This just shows that good
handicapping on the OMR measurement rule or on Performance Handicap predicts that even in light
winds, the most comfortable big catamarans have as much chance of winning as the lean and mean
Division One carbon rockets. Phil Day on Rhythmic has told his crew to be limbered up for hard work
as they take their usual inshore track looking for breeze without southerly setting tide in the
breakers, and hopefully staying out of the lifeguard flagged area this time. Meanwhile on the racer
cruisers like my ride McMoggy, we have a superb new roast recipe utilising crystalised garlic and
chilli to tantalise the campers' nostrils on the beach of Fraser Island. If the wind is coming from
behind, we hope the odours travel to the guys up front chomping on muesli bars.
At the briefing our Bureau of Meterology forecaster Pradeep Singh had no good news except for
sunbaking tourists, so it is likely we will be doing a slower time than the monohull Endeavour
managed in the unratified race a few years back (if you haven't read Rob Mundle's book, get it now,
a fantastic read).
Whatever the result, it is a great race with a high quality racing and cruising fleet just glad to be off
the roads and out on the blue water heading north. Another bonus this year is the striking of a
commemorative plaque by the Gladstone Council for the 50th year of the event, plenty of motivation
to be involved.

2. The Renaissance crew have got the experience to win again this year. -??Jules Geldard ?
http://www.learnleanlogistics.com/what-is-5s-lean-strategies/

3. The Rhythmic will have a guaranteed hard weekend at the office. -??Jules Geldard ?
Fantasia has travelled the world chasing gold, and it may be their turn again. -??Jules Geldard ?

4. Don't underestimate this little cat with Drew Carruthers at the helm. -??Jules Geldard ?
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