Bundaberg Port Marina Celebrates Winners
Bundaberg Port Marina proudly hosted the finish of the inaugural Brisbane to Bundaberg Offshore Yacht Race, organised by the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS). The event delivered a memorable and hard-fought first edition that tested crews in every way imaginable.
After departing Brisbane on 18 June 2026, the fleet of yachts faced a tactical 250-nautical-mile offshore challenge along the Queensland coast. Light winds turned the race into a true test of patience, strategy, and persistence, with the tracker providing gripping viewing as boats zigged, zagged, and hunted for every breath of breeze.
Standout Performances
David Rose’s Bundaberg Rum-sponsored Wedgetail claimed both Line Honours and overall IRC victory. Leading for much of the race, Wedgetail was the first yacht to arrive in Bundaberg. Corrected time calculations confirmed their dominant performance. On the dock, Rose and crew received a special welcome from Her Excellency the Governor of Queensland, Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, her husband Professor Graeme Nimmo RFD, and Bundaberg Region Mayor Helen Blackburn.
“It was actually a massive slog,” said David Rose (Rosey). “It’s meant to be a nice, quick, speedy race and it’ll be nice, quick and speedy next time, no doubt. I hope so. But it just shows you that anything can happen offshore. We could see it shutting down behind us, so we just went triple-headed and got it done. We just kept pushing and pushing.” The significance of being the first winner wasn’t lost on the experienced skipper, who was visibly emotional on arrival.
Tony Craner’s Bundaberg Port Marina-sponsored Balancing Act delivered a masterclass in consistency, securing ORCi Overall, PHS Overall, and Double-Handed honours. As PHS winners, the crew was presented with the race’s unique perpetual trophy — an authentic tug bell from Pacific Tug Group — a fitting tribute to the maritime heritage of the region.
In the multihull division, Allan Larkin’s Wide Bay Shipping Services-sponsored Noire flew the flag solo. The Bloomfield 70 completed the passage strongly to claim both OMR Multihull and PHS Multihull titles. The crew turned light patches into memorable moments, including a barbecue lunch and a home-cooked lamb roast with sticky date pudding. Crew member Becky Maloney captured hearts with her entertaining updates, winning the event’s Media Prize and declaring multihull racing “yachting’s best kept secret.”
Other notable stories included Anton Prange and the crew of *Ignition*, who embraced the unofficial “Race to the Party Division” and arrived ready to enjoy the Race Village hospitality.
A Celebration on the Water and Ashore
The race featured spectacular sunsets, abundant marine life, and plenty of good humour among competitors. Presentations were attended by RQYS Patron Professor Graeme Nimmo RFD and Bundaberg Region Mayor Helen Blackburn, who joined in celebrating the achievements.
Bundaberg Port Marina was delighted to support the event as the finishing destination and sponsor of Balancing Act. BPM’s 200 floating berths, 75-tonne travel lift, 24/7 fuel dock, shipyard services, and international clearance facilities provided the perfect base for arriving crews.
Thank You and Looking Forward
A huge thank you to all race organisers, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters including Bundaberg Rum, Pacific Tug Group, QMF Trails, Ingenia Lifestyle, The Yacht Sales Co., Hitz 939 FM, and many others.
With the inaugural edition now complete, excitement is already building for 2027. Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron has confirmed the race will return, with dates to be announced soon.
