Auric’s Quest lines up for another try
RACING yachts need plenty of wind to generate speed – but they apparently also need an operating motor before they venture out into open ocean.
As peculiar as it sounds, blue water racers have to have a fully operating engine to qualify for big events such as the upcoming Pittwater to Paradise Classic starting on Monday, New Year’s Day.
Gold Coast skipper Fred Bestall can attest to the rule of no horsepower, no race start, clearly because of safety issues with Auric’s Quest.
“We were due to race in the Pittwater last year but we had to pull out,” 66-year-old Bestall said.
“One of the stipulations under the rules is you have to have an engine that works but our diesel turbo gave up the ghost.”
So Bestall is now primed for his first crack at the Pittwater to Paradise in a boat that has had success in the prestige Sydney to Hobart Classic.
“I’ve had the boat for only 18 months but she used to be called Quest and she won handicap honours in the Sydney to Hobart in 2002,” Bestall said.
Auric’s Quest will be one of the favourites for line honours in the Pittwater to Paradise event, which will finish off Main Beach.
After that there is the Bartercard Sail Paradise regatta off the Gold Coast from January 6 to 9 when Bestall will be defending his 2017 title.
Meanwhile, three boats from the Southport Yacht Club are still yet to finish the Sydney to Hobart.
Another Painkiller and Ocean Gem, with only a couple of hours between them yesterday, are not due in Hobart until early this morning.
The smaller She is not expected to cross the line in the Derwent River until tomorrow morning at the earliest.