‘Stefan HAIR’ Sets Sail In Iconic Yacht Race

It will be a battle between the big dogs at the Gladstone Ports Corporation's 74th annual Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race this Good Friday. The team behind one of the largest yachts to enter, Stefan Hair, or ‘Stefan’ as the yacht is affectionately called, has their eyes placed firmly on the finish line.

But the 80-foot Botin has got some competition, says co-owner of Stefan, Adrian Seiffert. “There is one bigger boat in the race than ours, a boat called Black Jack,” he said. Despite Black Jack measuring at 100 feet, the average size of yachts entered into the iconic Queensland race stands between 40 and 50 feet.

But fear naut, because a bit of friendly competition never hurt anyone. “If we get the right wind conditions we will keep up with Black Jack, hopefully, but theoretically the bigger the boat, the faster the boat.” said Mr Seiffert. It will certainly knot be your average day at sea as Australia’s best sailors come from far and wide to compete in Queensland’s most iconic Easter sporting event alongside Stefan and Black Jack. 

Stefan will be skippered by champion veteran sailor Grant Wharington and is sponsored by Brisbane hair king Stefan Ackerie and MURO Accountants. “Sponsorship is very important,” said Mr Seiffert.  “We’re 80 foot long and the cost of running a boat and raising a boat never stops. “We’re always upgrading the boat, maintenance on the boat, getting new sails, the list goes on.” 

Purchased at the end of 2020, Stefan missed out on all the major sailing events for the past few years due to Covid. It’s first major event was the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race last year - and still managed to walk away with fourth place. “We were going to do the Brisbane to Hamilton Island and that was canceled, and then  Hamilton Island race week was canceled as well,” said Mr Seiffert.  “We did a little race in November but our first major race was the Sydney to Hobart.”

The co-owner said it was “rewarding” to walk away from their first major competition with fourth, but this year he hoped Stefan’s could sit at the top of the podium. “It’s a bit of luck and a bit of talent,” he said. “You can get the right wind conditions or be unlucky and get the wrong wind conditions, but we have a professional navigator on board with us who has done about 30 Sydney to Hobarts.”  “He tends to pick out the right conditions but it can be a bit tricky out there sometimes.” 

Mr Seiffert said that the Stefan’s crew is hoping, subject to the wind, to be in Gladstone within 24 hours after setting sail. “If you lose the wind, it can slow you down, and people can catch up - but hopefully that doesn’t happen” he said.

Stefan will take part in Queensland’s most iconic Easter sporting event on Good Friday, April 15 2022, departing from Moreton Bay.