Living Doll wins a cliff-hanger

by Ian Grant on 20 Aug 2009
Victorian helmsman Michael Hiatt produced a never say die performance to steer Living Doll to a memorable 40 second win in the Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week IRC championship over the Whitsunday Sailing Club course on Pioneer Bay this afternoon.

This was a rewarding result for the popular Victorian Fashion Industry businessman who entered the final race with only one purpose in mind and that was to make all the important tactical decisions count.

But they were not in good shape when the smaller defending champion and point score leader Evolution Racing skippered by Ray Roberts surprisingly held the upper hand in terms of boat speed when spinnakers were lowered at Grimston Point.

Normally the high profile Evolution Racing crew are tough to beat when they develop an early lead however a torn spinnaker plus the persistent challenge from the Living Doll crew gradually changed the complexion of the boat on boat match race between the two equally talented and determined crews.

Living Doll set up her fight back when she sailed into the lead but her crew needed to continue drawing away to beat the lower rated Evolution Racing on Handicap.

Provisional corrected time honours favoured Evolution Racing when both crews elected to sail different courses on the final leg to the finish.

Young tactician Ben Lamb gambled on his instincts and stuck to his guns planning his strategy on dodging current which played a major role when Living Doll slowly gained the upper hand in a fading breeze to complete a memorable result.

There was to usual expression of congratulations on the deck of Living Doll when she crossed the finish line but skipper Michael Hiatt who was beaten on count back by the Ray Roberts skippered Quantum Racing 12 months ago was unaware that he had sailed the race of the series to win the line and handicap double to secure the prestigious championship trophy on count back after both crews finished with identical scores.

Statistically there was very little in time difference between both crews with Living Doll proving the faster over the seven races by 7 minutes 30 seconds while Sandringham Yacht Club skipper Robert Date can take some confidence away from the regatta with his third overall in the impressive Reichel Pugh 52 Scarlett Runner.

They started impressively to eventually record a best six to count of 2-1-2-2-3-4 to finish 4 points behind the match racing Living Doll 1-2-1-3-2-1 and Evolution Racing 3-2-1-1-1-2 while principal regatta sponsor Russell McCart steered Night Nurse to victory in the Farr 40 class match race scoring a 5-5-3-3-5-5 to beat Bob Robertson’s Cracklin Rosie 4-4-4-7-6-3 by 2 points .
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