Black Jack claims duel

A YACHT named in honour of motor racing legend Sir Jack Brabham has overtaken record-breaking supermaxi Wild Oats in the final 500m of a major ocean race to claim only Queensland’s third line honours in the annual Sydney to Gold Coast race in 30 years.

With owner Peter Harburg aboard yesterday and skipper Mark Bradford at the helm, the 100-footer Black Jack beat defending race champion Wild

Oats for the first time in a major ocean race.

The thrilling finish ended what had been a game of catand-mouse between the two yachts and Sydney to Hobart line honours winner Comanche which led the race for more than 24 hours. “I’ve never been in such a close race, we only overtook them around 500m from the finish,’’ Bradford said.