Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race to kick off with Greg Williamson, Shelley Curtis showdown

A new yacht race hoping to kick off the Whitsundays racing season will feature a special showdown between the Mackay mayor and a Gold Coast councillor — and they’ll have to swim too.

The mayor of Mackay and a Gold Coast councillor will battle it out in the first leg of a brand new yacht race connecting the coastal cities.

The Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race is set to kick off at 10am on August 1 with 29 boats from around Australia and one from Hong Kong taking part.

Starting from Cavill Ave and ending at the Mackay Harbour, the race is expected to take between three and six days, but for the first four nautical miles, two boats will be carrying VIPs.
As a ‘race within a race’ special event, the Arctic Blonde will be carrying Mackay region mayor Greg Williamson while the Ocean Crusaders J-Bird will carry Gold Coast City Councillor Shelley Curtis.

The J-Bird will carry newly elected councillor Shelley Curtis as she races against the Mackay mayor in a four mile sprint.

The two will be on-board their respective boats for the first four nautical miles of the race before having to leap from their ships and into the water.

“It will be very interesting,” Mr Williamson said.

“I didn’t realise there was this tradition of officials having to walk the plank.”

Councillor Curtis has made it clear she doesn’t intend to lose the friendly race.

“What I lack in sailing experience, I more than make up for with competitive spirit,” Mrs Curtis said.
“It’s definitely Ocean Crusaders for the win!”

Mr Williamson praised Mrs Curtis’ competitiveness but has resolutely said “the Gold Coast won’t win”.

The Arctic Blonde will carry Mackay mayor Greg Williamson.

Mr Williamson said he’s excited to launch the race and believes it will be “incredible” for Mackay.

“What this does is it puts us on the map in terms of introducing our marina and harbour,” he said.
“It’ll be a lead up to the racing season in the Whitsundays and it brings a different genre of tourism to Mackay.

“I hope this becomes a major event year after year in the yacht racing calendar.”

The race will be kicking off at 10am on August 1 and the first boats are expected in Mackay on August 3.

You can spectate the race and track the locations of racers here.