Ichi Ban romps towards Gladstone win

by Ian Grant on 22 Mar 2008 Matt Allen’s modified Volvo Globe sailing sloop Ichi Ban was power sailing towards a comfortable line honours win in the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race this morning.

Skipper Matt Allen and crew enjoyed a fast spinnaker ride past Lady Elliot Island before dawn this morning and continued to log impressive speed as they tracked a course towards Bustard Head.

Unfortunately the freshening South East breeze arrived too late for the Ichi Ban crew to attack the race record of 20 hours 24 minutes 50 seconds set by the larger super maxi Skandia in 2004.

Ichi Ban’s position plotted by the Tracer Trak satellite tracking system placed the speed sailing sloop 70 nautical miles from the finish at 5-30 this morning.

Navigator Will Oxley confirmed they were on track to cross the finish line before 11 am today.

Meanwhile the smaller Cookson 50 Quantum Racing (Ray Roberts) and TP52 Wot Yot (Graeme Wood) continued with their nip-n-tuck drag race for the minor line honours places while the building breeze allowed the smaller lower handicapped yachts to improve their fleet positions to win on overall corrected time.

Ichi Ban will set the race times for the fleet to beat however at the official fleet report this morning it seems that her chances of beating the smaller yachts on handicap seems remote.

However the freshening wind also improved the chances for Argus , Mondo, Its Natural, Dancing Lady, Full Bore and Spirit of Koomooloo, Wedgetail, to win the historical 60 year old trophy The Courier Mail Cup.