2009 - the 21st race

In this edition

Competitor News
Race Entry Forms
Travelling to Flinders Island
20 Year Race History
Follow race yachts to Tamar Heads
Important Dates
Race Sponsors
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Competitor News

Paul de Gelder
On 11 February 2009 we read that a Navy diver, whilst on exercise at the Garden Island Naval Base at Wolloomooloo Bay in Sydney Harbour, was attacked by shark suffering severe injuries to his right hand and thigh.

The diver is Paul de Gelder who was a member of the 2007 Three Peaks Race of Team Navy Blue competing as a runner. On behalf of the Three Peaks fraternity we wish Paul the very best for his recovery and for the future.

Here is part of the media release issued by the Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT .

PERSONAL STATEMENT RELEASED ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY OF PAUL DE GELDER

On behalf of the family we would like to report that our son and brother, Paul de Gelder was injured in a shark attack on Wednesday morning. As a result of the attack Paul has lost his right hand above the wrist and may lose his right leg however he is in high spirits.

The family are very appreciative of the excellent medical services provided by the Navy for Paul now and into the future and are thankful for the ongoing assistance the Navy is providing to the family.

The family would like to thank Paul's surgeons and the staff at St Vincent's Hospital for the excellent care they have provided.

The family would particularly like to thank those who provided Paul with initial assistance and worked so quickly to get him to hospital.

Deguello
In the last issue of Speaks we reported that Deguello, the catamaran owned by John Brierley has lost its mast. We can now report that a new rig has been fitted and she has been seen doing sailing trials on the Derwent River. Deguello sailed as "Brierley Hose and Handling" in lasts years race and is expected as an entry again this year.

Interstate competitors
Big Wave Rider sailed by Bruce and Suzanne Arms has arrived in Hobart from Queensland and will be sailing to Beauty Point soon for the race start.

Round the world sailor and past competitor Kanga Birtles from Nowra in NSW is putting together his own team for this year's race sailing a monohull called Amity.

An extract from Kanga's website states " Kanga Birtles is a name synonymous with Australian yachting - personally sailing in every major east coast regatta including 16 Sydney Hobart races. He has won Trans Tasman double handed events, and placed second in the 1988 round Australia race. In 1991 he became the fastest Australian to circumnavigate the world, placing fifth in the BOC Challenge single-handed yacht race, and recently set a the record for fastest non-stop circumnavigation of Australia."

Victorian yachtsman Charles Meredith from Melbourne returns for his second attempt in the Three Peaks Race with a new catamaran. Last year he sailed a Seawind 1000 but this year he will race a much larger vessel called Peccadillo, an Atlantic 46 Mk II that is 14.7 metres length overall. This catamaran would be significantly faster than the comfortable but smaller Seawind and will be a challenging competitor for the other catamarans in the race. Charles says that as "This race has so many variables you have to do it once before you really appreciate the challenge".

Race Entry Forms

Race entry forms are available for download on the race website. Entries should be lodged immediately so that teams details can be printed in the various publications in time for the race.

Travelling to Flinders Island

If you have never been to Flinders Island here is an easy opportunity to visit that great island and see the Three Peaks teams and runners in action.

Team Whistler has a charter plane going to and from Flinders this year for the race and as they have a spare seat available they are offering it to any interested person. [There are no scheduled flights left - 2 weddings at Lady Barron this Easter!]

The flight departs Hobart at 10.30am Friday 10th April, stopping at Launceston to pick up a passenger. The flight returns departing Whitemark on Sunday 12th at 10.00am going to both Launceston & Hobart. The cost is $235 for one way, $470 both ways.

Contact Debra on 0429 386 074 or (03) 62254321.