Brindabella Storms In

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday March 30, 1999

ALAN KENNEDY

Maxi yacht Brindabella grabbed its third line honours win in the Middle Harbour Yacht Club's Sydney to Mooloolaba race yesterday after a wild night at sea in which it snapped its spinnaker pole, destroyed its spinnaker and was heeled over on its side for about two minutes.

The boat righted itself after the crew cut away the spinnaker and ditched the broken pole.

At the time, the boat was surfing the seas up the coast and travelling at 20 knots in a breeze of about 40 knots.

By yesterday morning, 23 of the fleet of 64 had withdrawn with broken gear. The only injury reported was to David Kellett, skipper of Sydney, which hit uncharted rocks near Port Stephens. Kellett, International Sailing Federation vice president, was below at the time and was hurled forward through the cabin.

He is being treated for cracked vertebrae at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.

Sydney was sailing close inshore at the time, trying to avoid the southerly current which was running about three knots.

This current contributed to the heavy seas when a predicted southerly front roared through the fleet on Sunday morning.

Brindabella's time of 47hr 37min 23s for the race was about 3 1/2 hours outside its race record, set in 1994. It was followed across the line by Melbourne maxi Wild Thing.

© 1999 Sydney Morning Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home