Two weeks till race cut off! Enter the GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race now!

GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race © Linda Caerdinael

Southport Yacht Club personally invites you and your crew to become founding members in Australia's newest ocean race! the 520 nautical mile GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race which starts 10am on Thursday, August 1.

Already attracting well over 25 entries from around Australia, #GCMYR24 is a Category 2 race born from the perennial needs and desires of skippers and owners like you heading north to the Whitsunday race weeks.

Forget swing moorings, entrants can secure deep water pens with world class facilities at Mackay Marina Village, who are helping prepare an awesome Race Village. Add in the generous support of strategic sponsors, our aim is to provide you and your crew stress-free access to key race preparation amenity and benefits... - Just see the links at the bottom of this email!

Throw in free beers and burgers on arrival, with exclusive race village discounts all event long with great steaks, wood-fired pizzas and your favourite beverages, and you're looking at a great event you won't want to miss.

Be quick, Entries Close July 17!

520 Reasons to Enter!

• Official Qualifier Race for the Rolex Sydney Hobart 2024,
• Free pre-race extended berthing at Southport Yacht Club,
• Free post-race multi-day berthing post-race at Mackay Village Marina, just a short sail from the Whitsunday regattas,
• Generous 20% discount of any yard visit to Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard for use within 180 days of entry, including boat lift, blast, fees and hardstand rates (perfect for Sydney Hobart prep),
• Live race commentary by Bow Caddy Media,
• 24/7 Race Control providing safety overwatch,
• Courtesy vehicles for crew supplies pre and post-race,
• Exclusive accommodation rates for Gold Coast & Mackay,
• Quality merchandise and crew apparel discounts from Zhik,
• A Welcome Party like no other at Queensland's Award-winning Club of the Year on the Gold Coast, alongside the Sydney-Gold Coast finishers,
• A fantastic Race Village atmosphere at Mackay Village Marina, with Sails Sports Bar, The Lighthouse Seafood and The Deck Steakhouse, live music and extended licensing hours well after midnight,
• Volunteer support by the revitalised Mackay Sailing Club,
• Accommodation deals at Mantra Mackay right on the marina, as well as Mackay Isaac Tourism,
• Start Line spectator helicopter flights by GC Helitours,
• Magnificent trophies you'll want to get your hands on,
• Generous prizes from sponsors,
• A Founding Member one-time-only boat plaque,
• More to be announced soon!

Featuring an iconic and panoramic Gold Coast backdrop, the race start line will be straight off Cavill Avenue in the heart of the Surfers Paradise. Lined by beachgoers and Australia's tallest residential towers, you and your crew can expect an unbeatable kickoff complete with plenty of spectator and media opportunities from the air, shore and on water.

It's shaping up to be a Spinnaker Start, so your sponsors won't want to miss this!

The Destination

Mackay Marina Village offers abundant space, with minimum 4.5m LAT depth (and deep docks for supermaxis) as well as state of the art boat lift and yard facilities for entrants participating in the northern race weeks.

With Mackay Airport offering convenient access nearby and sponsorship from Mackay Regional Council and Mackay Isaac Tourism, our Race Village with spectator access to the break-water will be the place to be when you cross the finish line.

Race Village

With the Mackay Marina having recently been spruced up, a sailing regatta on the Sunday, local radio station activation and day and night markets operating the first weekend of August, your crew will love the atmosphere Mackay is putting on for the race. Sails Sportsbar will remain open till 2am, a free burger of your choice on arrival, and wristbands to claim discounts on beers, wood-fired pizzas and Mackay's best steaks all event long from Saturday 3rd to Tuesday 6th.

With the generous support of strategic partners and sponsors, the Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race is set to become the club's iconic flagship event and a must-do fixture on the Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific sailing calendar.