Tasmanians dodge winter in revived Noumea race

HOBART yachtsman Marcus McKay, members of his family and several other Tasmanians plan to escape the icy clutches of winter next month when they compete in the revived Sydney to Noumea race.

They will sail the veteran Sydney-Hobart competitor She’s Apples Two in the 1064 nautical mile race to the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, the longest fully crewed yacht race out of Australia.

Joining the Kettering Yacht Club member as they leave Hobart later this month and then race from Sydney on June 2, will be his 19-year-old son Jai and two of his mates, Fletcher McCormack and Patrick Eberhard, both also 19, and Marcus McKay’s brother Brent, owner/skipper of the well-performed Radford 35, Rad, while David Graney will add some serious transoceanic experience after returning from sailing the last three legs of the Clipper Round the World Race. Brent McKay’s sons, Gus and Ollie, will make up the crew of eight sailing the 41-footer to Noumea.

She’s Applies Two will also contest the 600 nautical mile Groupama Race around New Caledonia, then cruise to Vanuatu before sailing back to Australia to contest Hamilton Island Race Week.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is conducting the PONTANT Sydney to Noumea Yacht Race in conjunction with the Cercle Nautique Caledonien and has received 30 entries.