The countdown is on and with just under 60 days to go over 40 of the best Grand Prix level offshore racing yachts from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and as far north as The Whitsundays have already entered Qoin Sail Paradise 2023. With the extended 5-day format, the social program and the bonus’s associated with the Summer of Sailing Series Australia, (of which Qoin Sail Paradise is the flagship event) the rush of entries continues to grow momentum both locally and beyond - including the most recent from The Whitsundays - Matchless, now confirmed as a starter in the Monohull Cruising Non-Spinnaker (PHS/ORCs) division. 

“The Southport Yacht Club team look forward to extending a warm welcome to Terry and the crew from Matchless, who are travelling down from the Whitsundays to compete in Qoin Sail Paradise 2023. We wish them a safe passage on their voyage south and look forward to welcoming them upon their arrival at our Main Beach Marina and Clubhouse’, said Southport Yacht Clubs Vice Commodore of Sail Glenn Burrell. 

Matchless formerly known as Match Point, then Reckless, is a Bavaria 35 Match and races out of Whitsunday Sailing Club in club twilight and weekend racing and placed 2nd in Airlie Beach Race Week in the Cruising Non-Spinnaker Division. 

Matchless Crew

I had been sailing on a yacht called Seventh Heaven, a Dehler 41 Deck Saloon then, when Matchless arrived the crew and I moved over to Club Twilight and Weekend Racing and competed in Airlie Beach Race Week 2022 where we sailed in the Non-Spinnaker division. There were a few other quick boats in the division, namely a Farr 40, a Fast 42 and Hanse 55 and we managed to get on the podium, over the line and on handicap a few times. Matchless ended up finishing 2nd in our division (missed out by two points to the Fast 42). The crew of Matchless and I are looking forward to sailing south in December and then, for the first time, competing in Qoin Sail Paradise in January 2023 - everyone has been telling me what a great event it is, said Matchless skipper Terry Stevens. 

“Not only are we delighted that Terry has decided to enter Matchless in Qoin Sail Paradise 2023, she will also have on board a number of key Southport Yacht Club representatives as crew, including myself, SYC Board member Garry Edwards and long-time SYC Member Ian Ball – we can’t wait”, said Southport Yacht Clubs Commodore Drew Jones. 

Entries are now open for Qoin Sail Paradise 2023 (Entry Link Here) and we invite monohull, multihull and trailable yacht classes to Enter.