NEWS - V8 racing legend to compete at XXXX Sail Paradise 2012

Motor racing legend Roland Dane cements his ambitions for the XXXX Sail Paradise 2012

To help seal the deal, Dane has invited former Sydney to Hobart race record-holder Michael Spies to join him as project manager and sailing master, for when he sets sail from the Southport Yacht Club off the Gold Coast on March 21, 2012.

Dane renamed the craft Jessandra II, which was originally launched as Rosie in 2004, and was later named Rockall III after she was refurbished by Corby Yachts. The small yacht was a class winner in the 2010 Rolex Commodores’ Cup in the UK, has achieved outright wins in the UK and German IRC class championships and at Cork Week, and was a place getter at one of the world’s major long-distance offshore events, the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

‘Our intention is to see Jessandra II as the most successful ocean racing yacht under 40ft in Australia,’ Spies said, ‘and there’s no better place to start that campaign than at Sail Paradise.’

XXXX Sail Paradise 2012 is sponsored by XXXX, City of Gold Coast, and Gold Coast Tourism. The five-day event signals the opening of Tourism Queensland’s Season of Sailing.

For more information, visit www.sailparadise.com.au, or contact Bronwen Ince at Southport Yacht Club on (07) 5591 3500.

Images

1. The Corby 36 offshore racer is one of the most competitive yachts for its size in the world of ocean racing. Courtesy Corby Yachts

2. Southport Yacht Club will host XXXX Sail Paradise 2012. Courtesy of Southport Yacht Club