Early entries for Pittwater to Coffs
LawConnect and Ichi Ban have registered as early entries for the 2022 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race.
14 March 2022
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Two of Australia’s highest profile yachts, Christian Beck’s 100ft LawConnect and Matt Allen’s TP52 Ichi Ban, are early entries in the 2022 Club Marine Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race, hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC).
In late December, Ichi Ban became the third yacht to win the Sydney Hobart three times in the history of the race. On the weekend, Allen added a fourth consecutive Adelaide to Port Lincoln Yacht Race win to his extensive tally.
“I’ve never done the Pittwater Coffs before. It has a good history,” said Allen.
“We’re keen to do it and to support it. Changing the start date has helped us to do that. Positioned in April, it also gives us the ability to head further north after to do the Brisbane Gladstone race,” Allen ended.
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Christian Beck’s LawConnect is another strong contender. She placed second in the 2021 Sydney to Hobart. Beck is keen for a shorter course and hopes to set a new record. The current record stands at 18 hours 29 minutes and 14 seconds, set by Wild Oats IX in 2003.
“I really want to do the race,” said Beck.
“We entered last year but it was cancelled. I haven’t done the race before, so I’m very much looking forward to it.”
Beck’s son Indy will also be on board. Indy sailed as crew on Beck’s InfoTrack when it made its MC38 one-design regatta debut in October 2020. Last May, he skippered it to victory in Act 2 of an MC38 event.
“He’s a better sailor than me,” Beck admitted recently.
Queensland is also represented in the 36th running of the Pittwater to Coffs. Geoff Dews has entered his Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200, Hell’s Bells. His son Lincoln will be aboard. The boat, which will be sailed fully crewed, is already waiting in Pittwater.
“We are absolutely looking forward to doing the race. I did the very first one, but haven’t done another since,” Dews commented.
“It’s a complex race. It’s a straight line race, but there are so many passing lanes. It also finishes in such a nice place, which is an attraction for us,” Dews concluded.
Richard Hudson has entered Pretty Woman. His Farr 45 has been in various events, his most recent the Sydney to Hobart and the RPAYC’s Pittwater Regatta in mid-February. Youths from the RPAYC Youth Development Program are part of his crew.
Ian Edwards has entered Wings. The Dehler 46 has contested the RPAYC Pittwater to Paradise race, along with the Sydney Noumea and Groupama races.
The Club Marine Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race is open to monohulls and multihulls in IRC, ORC, PHS, OMR and Short-Handed categories. The 226 nautical mile course is a Category 3 race, making it simple and cost effective to enter.
A Fever-tree crew party and race briefing will occur on 7 April. The race begins on 8 April at 1pm. A presentation at Coffs Harbour Yacht Club takes place on 13 February. Entries for the race close on 25 March at 5pm.
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