Let the countdown begin as the 78th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race (B2G) prepares to set sail from Shorncliffe on Good Friday – continuing a cherished Easter tradition for the 4017 community.
Steeped in history, the 308 nautical mile race continues to be highly respected.
Queensland Cruising Yacht Club Commodore David Hamilton said the steady growth in fleet entries reflected the race’s enduring place on the offshore calendar.
“The race has been a cornerstone of offshore sailing in Queensland for more than seventy-seven years,” Commodore Hamilton said. “It continues to attract a broad range of boats and crews, from highly competitive campaigners to club level teams taking on this iconic passage.”
The B2G is now part of the South East Queensland Blue Water Series, which links several key offshore races in the region – including the Surf to City, Julian Rocks, Brisbane to Bundaberg, and Gold Coast to Mackay races. While each event is important, the Brisbane to Gladstone event remains the oldest and most coveted race in the series.
The Fleet and the Finish: Handicaps, Divisions and Defending Champions
The B2G attracts a diverse fleet, with several race categories designed to ensure fair competition. Systems such as IRC (International Rating Certificate) and PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Formula) use measurements and performance data to calculate a handicap for each yacht, allowing smaller or slower vessels to compete on equal footing with larger, faster entries once finishing times are adjusted.
Specialised divisions reflect how crews choose to take on the challenge. The IRC Two Handed Division means that the yachts are sailed by only two people along the entire offshore passage, while the Cruising Division is a category for less competitive crews who just want to experience the adventure.
“For this year’s race, we are expecting another competitive fleet,” Commodore Hamilton said. “The Brisbane to Gladstone has a long history of close racing and it would not be surprising to see several boats in contention for the overall result.”
Race Director Linda Honey agreed that the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race was always very competitive and last year was no exception.
“Glen Burrell and the crew on Black Diamond sailed a very smart race, particularly given the light conditions, and were worthy overall winners,” she said. “Each year brings a new mix of experienced campaigners and crews lining up for the challenge. That’s what makes the race so interesting. You never quite know how it will unfold.”
Find more more race and spectator information here.
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