The Queensland Cruising Yacht Club will celebrate a major milestone this Good Friday as the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race marks its 75th year.
Forty-seven vessels will set off from Moreton Bay on Friday for the annual event, gunning for Gladstone where the fastest of the competitors are expected to arrive Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
It's the first time in several years an upwind start is predicted for the beginning of the race.
Queensland Cruising Yacht Club Vice-Commodore Harley Cowlishaw said forecasted northerly winds signalled that this year's race would likely be slower than in years past.
"All the yachts are ready and they're looking forward to it," he said.
"I look forward to catching up with them in Gladstone, the hospitality the Gladstone people put on at the end of the race is next to none."
He said yacht owners had been briefed about the possibility of severe storms forecast for parts of eastern Queensland on Friday, and that everyone was well-prepared.
'It's anyone's race'
Mr Cowlishaw has sailed in the Brisbane to Gladstone 37 times and has been involved with the race for 42 years.
"It's very challenging getting out of Moreton Bay because the wind and the tide comes into effect," he said.
"Once you clear Moreton Bay, going up the Sunshine Coast and up along Fraser Island, it depends on the weather conditions how difficult it is.
"The other difficult part is sailing up Gladstone Harbour. If you hit the tide going out, you've got to be very aware and keep out of the tide.
"The race can be won or lost in Gladstone Harbour."
He said it's anyone's race in 2023, with no one clear favourite emerging so far.
"There are quite a few boats that could take line honours," he said.
"There's a little 34-footer called Azzurro … it has always done extremely well in the Sydney to Hobart race.
"With the weather forecast the way it is for this weekend, my personal prediction would be Azzurro."
The race draws competitors from around Australia and beyond, and features crews ranging from former world champions to young up-and-comers racing in their first Brisbane to Gladstone.
Addison Newlan will be part of the crew on award-winning Maritimo for the Brisbane to Gladstone, and despite being just 14 years old, she's already got more than a decade of experience on the water.
Because of her age, she had to be granted an exemption to participate in the race and is the youngest competitor hitting the water in 2023.
The young Queenslander said she was a bit nervous but "really excited".
"It's something that I love and it makes up the majority of my life," she said.
"I honestly can't wait to see what the race brings for me."
Post-Brisbane to Gladstone, Addy said her sights were set on the 2032 Olympics along with "a few Sydney to Hobarts and Volvo Ocean Races" in between.
"I have a really strong support group coming out of Matarimo and lots of people that want to see me go all the way," she said.
"I think it'd be an amazing chance if I get to represent Brisbane in Brisbane."
Mr Cowlishaw said Redcliffe was one of the best vantage points for Brisbane yachting fans who want to catch a glimpse of the race.
"You can watch the boats sailing up to you, and then they come very close to the shoreline before they sail over to Tangalooma," he said.
The 2023 Brisbane to Gladstone will be live-streamed and the location of each yacht can be tracked online.
