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15 July 2005, 02:15 pm

Late Rush Increases Fleet To 76

Sydney Gold Coast Race 2005

Sydney, Australia

A late rush on the final day for the lodgement of entries increased the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's 20th Sydney Gold Coast Race fleet to 76 with a mix of entries from Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia, the ACT and Queensland.

17 entries arrived in the final 24 hours before the close of paperwork including Bob OATLEY's line honours contender Wild Oats, Andrew SHORT's Volvo 60 Club Marine (formerly Andrew Short Marine) and the classic timber 1968 Sydney Hobart winner MDBS Koomooloo, skippered by Queensland yachtsman Mike FREEBAIRN.

Father and son George and Stephen GIRDIS submitted separate entries yesterday, the first for Marloo and the second for Free Spirit for the 20th anniversary race which begins from Sydney Harbour on Saturday 30 July at 1300 hours local time.

NSW entries total 63 with Alan BRIERTY's Sydney 38 Contentious Issue representing Western Australia, Geoff BOETTCHER's Reichel/Pugh 46 Hardys Secret Mens Business representing South Australia and the ACT represented by the Bavaria 44 Namadgi of Garth BRICE.

The Queensland flag will be flown by the refurbished MDBS Koomooloo which will contest the 384 nautical mile passage before continuing on to have a crack at the IRC Overall trophy at Hahn Premium Hamilton Island Race Week.

Victoria will be well represented with nine entries and should come away with some silverware with the likes of Steve TROON's Reichel/Pugh 46 XLR8, Bruce TAYLOR's Sydney 38 Chutzpah and Rob HANNA's brand new DK46 Shogun sailing for that state.