California Bay Area local and Summer Sailstice sailor, Jay Grant is enjoying some pre-Sailstice sailing along Australia's East Coast in the Qantaslink 7oth Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. Jay and his crew of six are aboard Eressea, a 2008 Hanse 400ee, and at the time of writing are sitting in the middle of the 53-strong race fleet.
Follow the boats on the B2G website.
Far from the high-visibility of the current race fleet, the seven boats which competed in the first Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race 69 years ago were largely uncontactable during the 47 or so hours that it took to complete the course. Two of the vessels had radios, while the remaining boats carried pigeons supplied by Homing Pigeon club in Brisbane. Each yacht was to release two birds per day to indicate their position.
Cleary boat tracking isn't the only thing that has improved over the past several decades, as line honors have already been taken by Black Jackin a time of 16h 53m 37s, and covering 314NM.
Meanwhile the majority of the fleet is still underway with Jay and the Eressea crew expected to arrive at 04:00 on Arpil 1st (down-under time).
We wish all the Brisbane to Gladstone sailors fair winds and following seas, along with a decent measure of "good luck".
Pre-race crew-selfie.
Crew member, Suzanne Standen takes the helm.
Crew member Jack Kliner looking pretty relaxed.
