SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week - Signature race set to highlight

by Tracey Johnstone on 29 Aug 2015 The breeze is slowly building towards the forecasted east-north-east of between nine and 14 knots for the start on day two of the SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week of the event’s signature race, the Around the Island Race.

With the low tide at about 1pm, Regatta Director Denis Thompson has decided to send the fleet on Course 15, taking the island to starboard on the spectacular, but challenging shoreline 21 mile race. He plans for the deeper keel boats to make it safely through the shallows off the west end of the island.

While yesterday some of the visiting yachts were keen to follow the lead of the local yachts, today the chatter around the dock is that some local skippers have been known to get caught on the sand western sand banks, so it may be advisable for the visitors to make their own course decisions.

IRC and PHS division leader, Ponyo’s David Currie, anxiously awaited this morning the return of his light-air jib which was sent off yesterday afternoon to the Hood’s loft in Townsville for a major repair. Without it Currie joked he would “have to dial up more wind” if they were going to be in the game today.

Ponyo also has the challenge of no wind instruments, but they do have a working depth sounder.

As to the breeze, Thompson is still quoting Volvo Ocean Race navigator and local wind guru, Will Oxley; “Left, left, left,” he said.

For full results and all event information, http://www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au/