Mbbc Sailor Shakedown Commences

The regatta promises to 'shakedown' eligible entrants into qualifiers for the Brisbane to Gladstone Race, as onlookers marvel from an array of prime viewing spots.

The course for capable ocean sailing boats reaches 80 nautical miles from the Redcliffe Peninsula to the Moreton Bay entrance NW Fairway mark to the east of Caloundra in an 'out and back' course.

Kicking off at the Redcliffe Peninsula foreshore, there will be a number of excellent spots to see the crew preparing and sailing the vessels at their own risk, including the close-up triangular short course near the foreshore.

The event will be held on the weekend of the 25th and 26th February. The optimal place to watch the start is from Redcliffe Parade near the Redcliffe Jetty. Follow the rest of the race from the foreshore start anywhere along the front north of Scotts Point on Whytecliffe Parade, along Margate Parade, Marine Parade, Redcliffe Parade and Prince Edward Parade heading into Flinders Parade in Scarborough. The race will finish to the north of the entrance to the Scarborough Boat Harbour near the Moreton Bay Boat Club on Bird O'Passage Parade.

Prizes will be awarded and places will be announced at 9.30am on 26th February at the Moreton Bay Boat Club to honour the sailors who manoeuvred the course in the shortest time. Family-friendly shore activities will entertain the crowd until midday and are a show of support to area racing vessel crews.

To enter the race, visit mbbc.org.au/sporting/sailing/fairway-and-pearl-challenge for more information and cost of entry. Maritime Safety Queensland will brief all competitors at the Moreton Bay Boat Club on 22nd February at 7.30pm, so be sure to have at least one bona fide representative of your vessel in attendance. Closing date is 22nd February.