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From the lively start off Brisbane, complete with colourful spinnakers and plenty of anticipation, the race evolved into a tactical offshore contest that tested patience, persistence and good humour as much as outright speed.
Competitors experienced everything including long periods drifting in just a few knots of breeze, with some boats at times making less than a knot of progress or even heading backward. The tracker became essential viewing as crews zigged, zagged and hunted for pressure all the way to Bundaberg.
Wedgetail proved the benchmark on the water throughout much of the race, leading for extended periods before becoming the first yacht to arrive in Bundaberg. The result was made even sweeter when corrected time calculations confirmed the team had also secured overall IRC honours.
On arrival, Rose and the crew were welcomed dockside by Her Excellency the Governor of Queensland, Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, her husband Professor Graeme Nimmo RFD, and Bundaberg Region Mayor Helen Blackburn, providing a fitting conclusion to a memorable race north.
David Rose, “Rosey”, said the race had been far more challenging than many expected.
“It was actually a massive slog, for those who don’t know. It’s meant to be a nice, quick, speedy race and it’ll be nice, quick and speedy next time, no doubt. I hope so. But it just shows you that anything can happen offshore.”
“We could see it shutting down behind us, so we just went triple-headed and got it done. We just kept pushing and pushing.”
The significance of becoming the inaugural winner was clearly not lost on the experienced skipper, who was visibly emotional on the dock after crossing the line.
“It’s special to be the first. You only get one chance to be the first winner of a race.”
For Balancing Act, consistency was the key. Tony Craner and crew put together an impressive performance across the race to claim ORCi, PHS and Double-Handed victories, demonstrating the value of smart decision-making in the often unpredictable conditions.
As winners of the PHS division, Balancing Act was also presented with the race’s perpetual PHS trophy by Pacific Tug Group. Rather than a conventional trophy, the perpetual award takes the form of an authentic tug bell, a fitting tribute to the maritime heritage of the event and a unique piece of silverware that competitors will be chasing for years to come.
While the monohulls battled for overall honours, Allan Larkin’s Wide Bay Shipping Services-sponsored Noire carried the multihull banner alone in the inaugural race. The Bloomfield 70 completed a successful passage north to claim both the OMR and PHS Multihull titles, ensuring the race’s only multihull entry left Bundaberg with an armful of silverware.
The race produced no shortage of memorable moments.
Todd Anderson, Vice Commodore of the RQYS shakes the hand of David Rose – photo © @sailorgirlhq
Crews enjoyed spectacular sunsets at sea, spotted many whales and dolphins, navigated their way around K’gari, traded jokes and updates via race communications and, in the case of Noire, appeared determined to prove offshore racing could also be a culinary event. After serving up a barbecue lunch during one of the lighter patches of the race, the crew followed it with a home-grown lamb roast and sticky date pudding for dinner.
Crew member Becky Maloney summed it up perfectly when she declared, “Multihull racing, yachting’s best kept secret.”
Maloney’s contributions throughout the race were also recognised ashore, with the Noire crew member taking home the event’s Media Prize following a stream of entertaining updates and images from offshore.
At the other end of the fleet, Anton Prange and the crew aboard Hitz 939 FM-sponsored Ignition captured plenty of attention as they embraced what became known as the unofficial “Race to the Party Division”. Arriving first in Bundaberg, albeit under motor, the crew ensured the Race Village and Port of Bundaberg hospitality had early guests, eventually becoming one of the stories of the inaugural race.
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Patron, Professor Graeme Nimmo RFD was again on hand for the presentation ceremony alongside Bundaberg Region Mayor Helen Blackburn, helping celebrate the conclusion of the race’s inaugural edition.
Race organisers, volunteers, sponsors and supporters were thanked for helping bring the event to life, including Bundaberg Port Marina, Pacific Tug Group, QMF Trails, Ingenia Lifestyle, The Yacht Sales Co., Hitz 939 FM, Coral Cove Ocean Estate, Lighthouse Hotel, Robert Oatley, Bundaberg Rum, XXXX and Club Marine.
With the first Brisbane to Bundaberg Yacht Race now complete, attention is already turning to the future, with many sponsors and crews already expressing enthusiasm for returning in 2027. Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron has confirmed the event will return, with dates for the second edition to be announced later this week.
Major winners
Line Honours
Bundaberg Rum-sponsored Wedgetail (David Rose)
IRC Overall
Bundaberg Rum-sponsored Wedgetail (David Rose)
ORCi Overall
Bundaberg Port Marina-sponsored Balancing Act (Tony Craner)
PHS Overall
Bundaberg Port Marina-sponsored Balancing Act (Tony Craner)
Double-Handed Division
Bundaberg Port Marina-sponsored Balancing Act (Tony Craner)
OMR Multihull
Wide Bay Shipping Services-sponsored Noire (Allan Larkin)
PHS Multihull
Wide Bay Shipping Services-sponsored Noire (Allan Larkin)
For more information, head to: brisbanetobundaberg.com
by Nic Douglass
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