Harbour-Fiji yacht race

Safety paramount in Goffs Harbour-Fiji yacht race

SAFETY standards will be paramount for competitors and organisers of this year’s 1800 mile Coffs Harbour to Fiji race.

This follows the tragic Sydney to Hobart classic recently.

The chairman of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is reviewing the Hobart disaster. Former Commodore Peter Bush has contacted Fiji race director Rob Mundle and arranged for any relevant information to be passed on once the review and coronial inquiries were com plete.

Mundle said Bush was a potential starter in “the race to paradise” that starts in Coffs Harbour on May 15.

“It is apparent from the Hobart tragedy that some international standards that have been seen as acceptable will need change,”

Mundle said.

“The safety of competitors in the Coffs Harbour to Fiji race is paramount so if there are any new safety standards that we feel should play to this race, they will be imple mented.

“This Fiji race should see very pleasant sailing conditions in balmy weather, but one should always be prepared for the pos sibility of some tough times at sea.

“We had already scheduled special sea safety and weather briefings prior to the start. These will now take an even greater significance for all competitors.”.

Organisers are expecting a fleet of more than 20 yachts following a remarkable response from yacht owners to news of the race.

More than 50 inquiries had been fielded from potential entrants before the Notice of Race was issued last month.

The honour of being the first official entry went to Sydney’s Michael Thurston and his 15.4 metre ketch, Drima.

“The owners of some of the biggest and best yachts in Australia have indicated a desire to compete,” Mundle said.

“We have also had queries from the region, America, England and Chile.

“There is obviously a big need for a race into paradise from Australia’s east coast”.

The fleet will race to Suva in three divi sions - IMS, performance handicap and two-handed.

Once complete at the Royal Suva Yacht Club, the crews will have the to compete in the President’s Cup Series, which is a fun regatta from a location in the Western Division, or cruise to Savusavu Yacht Club’s famous Copra Shed in the North. ■

Race celebrations will take place at the Royal Suva Yacht Club, in the capital of Fiji