Fremantle To Exmouth 2023
by Fremantle Sailing Club 5 May 2023 23:49 UTC
Fremantle Sailing Club’s Exmouth Race and Rally will get under way on Saturday from a start line just outside Fremantle Harbour.
The 700 nautical mile race makes it the longest destination yacht race on the Australian calendar, ahead of the iconic Sydney to Hobart classic of 640 nautical miles. Sixteen of the State’s finest racing yachts have entered, joined by eleven entries in the rally division.
Racing yachts include Enterprise New Generation, Anthony Kirke, and Alan Nuttall’s GP42, fresh from her win in Division 2 of the 2022 Rolex Sydney to Hobart race. With a well drilled crew and a proven fast boat, they will start warm favourites.
David Davenport’s TP52 Crush set a record in the Bunbury and return race earlier in the year to blitz the fleet for line honours as well as taking out the handicap trophy. This yacht loves hard downwind sailing and should lead the fleet into Exmouth. The battle for handicap supremacy between these two modern, carbon fibre flying machines will be fascinating.
The smallest boats in the fleet will be the pair of Jeanneau Sunfast 3200’s, Kwilena, sailed by Dunsborough Yacht Club’s Steve Davies and Abi Paterson and Dave Kenny’s The Edge, from Fremantle Sailing Club.
Rally yachts are permitted to use engine power when the breeze drops off, but carry a penalty for each hour of engine use. The well-travelled Hanse 495 Kondili, owned by Fremantle Sailing Club commodore Phil Hearse and skippered by his son Joshua is one of the largest and fastest boats in the rally division and her entries in the video and best meal categories were superb in 2021.
Vice Commodore Anita Wyntje’s 37-footer Ocean Street might be somewhat slower in its travels but should score well in the Marine Environment Award. Whatever the outcome, the rally yachts will be the most light-hearted participants.
Yacht Tracking is available here. Fremantle Sailing Club website
Freo To Exmouth - Key Dates
Saturday 6th May
12:00 pm - Race Division Starts
12:10p, - Rally Division Starts
Monday 8 May
Earliest possible expected arrivals into Exmouth!
Tuesday 9 - Thursday 11th May
Expect a large number of boats – FSC Welcome
Thursday 11 May 5:00pm
After dark, an exclusive event will be held at Whalebone Brewery located on Patterson Way – Exmouth Bus Charter transfers available.
Friday 12 May
Final arrivals expected to arrive in Exmouth
Saturday 13 May 10:30am - 3:00pm
Exmouth Community Fun Event @ Exmouth Marina
Saturday 13 May 6pm
Presentation Dinner @ Exmouth Yacht Club