It was raining when I got the 4 am text message that the media boat was leaving the dock at Southport at 5.30 at the latest. On this pre-dawn Monday morning, July 28 2008, we were off to greet the winning yachts in the Sydney Gold Coast Race.

Fortunately the rain cleared and first light revealed the prospect of a sun rise behind dark clouds to provide a spectacular background for photos and we were not to be disappointed. The combination of a brilliant silver, gold and grey sunrise with just a tinge of pink complemented the white and aquamarine sails of Quantum Racing, as she ploughed toward the finish.

We met her about 15 minutes short of the finish line and the crew were obviously elated. Dolphins joined us and surfed our bow wave, as they had earlier with the yacht. The crew reported later that they had left their phosphorescent trails all through the night, as had the canting keel on this state of the art racing machine.

The Farr designed Cookson 50 speared between the buoys of the finish line at 7.19am. A jubilant owner Ray Roberts said just after they had crossed the line that it was "an exciting race, a bit of everything".

Later, after they had docked in sunshine at the Southport Yacht Club marina, he said "We came out on top. It was a surprise and extremely pleasant. I’ve competed in this race somewhere between 10 and 15 times and it’s the first time I’ve won line honours."

Then of course came the nail-biting wait to see if Quantum Racing had won the coveted double – line and handicap honours.

One of the crew reported that they had beaten Quest over the line by an hour and eleven minutes. Ray himself commented that for a 50 footer, they were well placed to win on handicap. But with the forecast west sou' westerlies increasing for the rest of the fleet, he was afraid that "one of the smaller boats could get blown home" and take out handicap honours. For yachts first over the line it is always a case of wait and see.

In the meantime the tired but happy crew repaired to the bar at the Southport Yacht Club and proceeded to make a large dent in the Bundy, bourbon and beer. Staff had been preparing for Sydney Gold Coast race week and were glad that the yachts had waited until a respectable hour to cross the line.

Even when the yachts arrive in the middle of the night, the Club is always open to offer them a shower, hot food and of course the bar is open too. This is much appreciated by the crews and several commented to me that the hospitality of the Club is second to none.

It was a slower race this year but as Ray feared, the boats in the latter part of the fleet picked up time. The crew celebrated the line honours win long into the night and were finally confirmed as ‘first IRC overall’ on handicap.

The last of the yachts were all tied up in the marina by breakfast, Tuesday 29 July. As a result of the timing, the radio room crew and those recording the finish times were able to knock off and the Club readied the presentation area with a fine display of trophies.

At the presentation Ray "Hollywood" Roberts and members of the Quantum Racing crew were awarded handsome individual trophies for the yacht and the yacht’s name will be inscribed on the beautiful gold Peter Rysdyk trophy for overall winners.

It will also be inscribed onto the silver trophy for handicap honours, after they are returned to the CYCA.

Receiving the trophies from CYCA Commodore Matt Allen, Ray Roberts said "Sailing is a team sport and I’ve got a great team."

In an absent-minded moment, one of the crew did his best to take off with the line honours cup to the amusement of the crowd of sailors assembled for the occasion. But Matt Allen gently removed it from his hands with the comment, "that’s mine."

Quantum Racing will now be delivered north for Hamilton Island Race Week which starts on 22 August. Ray and the crew will no doubt be looking for similarly good results further north in Queensland.