Destination Paradise
With less than two months before the start of the Qoin Sail Paradise 2023 in January, entries are still coming in from far and wide.
21 November 2022
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As Qoin Sail Paradise 2023, which takes place from 2 to 6 January next year, rolls closer, the entry list continues to build as yachts from far and wide register their interest. The event – the flagship of the Summer of Sailing Series Australia – has so far attracted more than 40 of the best Grand Prix level offshore racing yachts from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and as far north as The Whitsundays.
The 2023 event offers an extended five-day format and a great social program, and will feature courses set between Main Beach and the Queensland/New South Wales border offering shorebound spectators the chance to marvel at the colourful fields of spinnakers as the fleet does battle. There will be live entertainment each night at Southport Yacht Club’s Main Beach Clubhouse.
The latest yacht to sign up for the event is Matchless, a Bavaria 35 Match that races out of Whitsunday Sailing Club in club twilight and weekend racing. Matchless placed second at the Airlie Beach Race week in the Cruising Non-Spinnaker division.
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She will join Qoin Sail Paradise 2023 as a starter in the Monohull Cruising Non-Spinnaker (PHS/ORCs) division under skipper Terry Stevens.
“The Southport Yacht Club team look forward to extending a warm welcome to Terry and the crew from Matchless, who are travelling down from the Whitsundays to compete in Qoin Sail Paradise 2023,” said Southport Yacht Clubs Vice Commodore of Sail Glenn Burrell.
“We wish them a safe passage on their voyage south and look forward to welcoming them upon their arrival at our Main Beach Marina and Clubhouse.”
Matchless was formerly known as Match Point and then Reckless. “I had been sailing on a yacht called Seventh Heaven, a Dehler 41 Deck Saloon then, when Matchless arrived the crew and I moved over to Club Twilight and Weekend Racing and competed in Airlie Beach Race Week 2022 where we sailed in the Non-Spinnaker division,” Stevens confirms.
“There were a few other quick boats in the division, namely a Farr 40, a Fast 42 and Hanse 55 and we managed to get on the podium, over the line and on handicap a few times.”
“Matchless ended up finishing second in our division (we missed out by two points to the Fast 42). The crew of Matchless and I are looking forward to sailing south in December and then, for the first time, competing in Qoin Sail Paradise in January 2023 – everyone has been telling me what a great event it is.”
Matchless will be racing with several key Southport Yacht Club representatives as crew. “Not only are we delighted that Terry has decided to enter Matchless in Qoin Sail Paradise 2023, she will also have on board myself, SYC Board member Garry Edwards and long-time SYC Member Ian Ball,” enthuses Southport Yacht Clubs Commodore Drew Jones. “We can’t wait!”
Entries are open for Qoin Sail Paradise 2023 for monohull, multihull and trailable yacht classes – click here for more information.
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