Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S-Series LEADERBOARD

Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race: Chutzpah - Bridesmaid no more

by Lisa Ratcliff / OCC 31 Jul 2018 04:06 PDT 31 July 2018
Matt Allen's Ichi Ban 2nd overall IRC © Andrea Francolini

Bruce Taylor's Victorian 40-footer called Chutzpah has been officially declared the IRC overall winner of the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race after a 15-hour wait for the only challenger still on the course to drop out of contention.

"They say I look very fetching in Bridesmaid gear; we've looked to be in the money so many times, but being the bride is far better, far more satisfactory," said Taylor in reference to the numerous times he has finished runner-up in a major offshore event over the near four decades he's been ocean racing.

Taylor's doggedness is well-known in sailing circles. He's had seven attempts at the Gold Coast Race and 38 attempts at the pinnacle Rolex Sydney Hobart with various Chutzpahs and a core team, including Perth-based navigator and longtime mate Kingsley Piesse. The Chutzpah crew recorded their best result of second in the 2014 Rolex Sydney Hobart and they've collected multiple other top five placings and divisional victories between 1986 and this year, but never the prize every sailor wants – the Tattersall Cup for the corrected time winner.

The Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Race is Chutzpah's Rolex Sydney Hobart race warm-up and Taylor says he would love to go back-to-back in the two ocean classics.

"We thought this Gold Coast Race was a great opportunity to try out a couple of new crewmen and a couple of new configurations," he said. "What is pleasing outside the result is you have small boats owned and sailed by Corinthians, and it's possible to jag a result like this," said the popular retired Orthodontist at Southport Yacht Club on Tuesday July 31.

It was nail-chewing wait to see if a valiant effort by Shane Kearns' Komatsu Azzurro would result in a third Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race overall win from four attempts. This time the weather Gods were on Taylor's side.

"Despite the original forecast, conditions were better than we hoped and we managed to hold onto boats our size and bigger, and make the gains when it was our turn. Foolishly the boys told me what time we had to finish by, to beat the boats already in and that wasn't good for my blood pressure. Then, sitting at Southport from 1.30am this morning to late afternoon watching the tracker and the S&S 34 coming up the coast wasn't good for my health either!"

At 1830hrs Komatsu Azzurro was in nor'easterlies 13 nautical miles from the finish line off Main Beach, with an ETA of 2130hrs.

Second overall on the IRC scoresheet is Matt Allen's TP52 Ichi Ban and third another TP52, Ian Short's Highfield Caringbah. All but three yachts have finished the opening race of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's 2018-19 offshore calendar and results in most divisions are confirmed.

The official race trophy presentation will take place at 10am Wednesday August 1 at Southport Yacht Club. The last boat in the fleet, Gun Runner, is due at lunchtime on August 2.

Video of Bruce Taylor following the announcement of Chutzpah's victory

goldcoast.cyca.com.au

Related Articles

Double debut for Tankoa Yachts
At the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2025 Signed in 2021 and delivered in the summer of 2024, Diamond Binta is a stunning fusion of innovation and elegance, showcasing the latest achievement from the renowned Tankoa Yachts shipyard in Italy. Posted on 8 Mar
Jeanneau NC 1295 Coupe first look
The latest flagship model designed for effortless family cruising Introducing the NC 1295 Coupe, the latest flagship model designed for effortless family cruising. Posted on 8 Mar
Meet the new Albatross
A Delta Marine 72.2 m yacht that underwent an impressive refit and layout transformation Damen Yachting relaunched ALBATROSS, a Delta Marine 72.2 m yacht that underwent an impressive refit and layout transformation in the last 26 months. Posted on 8 Mar
"Sober Skipper™: Why It Matters" Series
Sea Tow Foundation releases new video featuring Angler Mike Iaconelli The Sea Tow Foundation™, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting boating safety, has launched the latest video in its "Sober Skipper™: Why It Matters" series, featuring professional bass angler Mike Iaconelli. Posted on 7 Mar
Marine Auctions March Online Auction
5 vessels unreserved and must be sold Online auction opening Friday 7th March closing Thursday 13th March 2025 at 2pm AEST. Posted on 6 Mar
“Let Her Rip” on-water campaign
MasterCraft celebrates 5 years of empowering women With support from Progressive Insurance® and the power of Chevrolet's cutting-edge tow vehicles, MasterCraft is bringing 'Let Her Rip' to new and returning locations, empowering more women and girls on the water than ever before. Posted on 5 Mar
New Grand Banks 62 to make global debut
At the 2025 Palm Beach International Boat Show What does it take to consistently design, build, and deliver luxury yachts that represent a new era of long-range cruising? Posted on 4 Mar
C-MAP unveils major chart enhancements
Comprehensive North American update features enhanced satellite imagery along the East Coast C-MAP®, a leader in digital marine cartography and cloud-based mapping, today announced its first major update to North America charts for 2025. Posted on 3 Mar
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Collection
Revolutionising Design and Performance Knut Frostad, CEO of Henri-Lloyd, explains what makes the Dynamic collection so special - showcasing the cutting-edge design, unparalleled comfort, and sustainable performance that sets it apart on the water. Posted on 3 Mar
Point of difference - Pacifica 44
Take me away. Far, far away. OK. Here's the Pacifica 44, which is perfect for the job. 3000nm. Boom. There's your unique selling proposition, right there. Real range. Reliable passage making times/distances at 10 knots as your base marker and unbelievable autonomy means the Pacifica 44 harnesses the absolute best a sailing vessel can offer. Posted on 27 Feb
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo 2023 S-Series FOOTER