Matt Allen steered his modified Volvo Globe racer Ichi Ban to another impressive Brisbane to Gladstone line honours win earlier today.
Ich Ban which completed the 308 n/ml coastal passage race with a course time of 23 Hours 34 minutes 10 seconds mastered a mixed range of light to moderate winds to claim successive line honours titles in Queensland's premier blue water classic.
As expected owner skipper Matt Allen was pleased with the result. 'We had an enjoyable sail last night it was warm and the only water we had on the deck was from a few light showers'.
'It would have been nice to have a bit more pressure but overall I'm happy and the crew are happy,' he said.
However while Ichi Ban dominated the battle for line honours her course time will not be fast enough to feature in the contest against the smaller older and lower handicapped yachts for the fastest corrected handicap.
Quantum Racing spoilt the party for the Ichi Ban crew when owner skipper Ray Roberts completed the course in 26 hours 11 minutes 20 seconds.
Quantum Racing certainly had saved her handicap time on Ichi Ban to become the provisional leader while the remainder of the fleet enjoyed fast spinnaker sailing conditions as they tracked their course towards Gladstone.
The freshening winds favoured several yachts including the 2006 champion Michael Balkin's sloop Corum and the Colin Kimmorley skippered cold moulded plywood sloop Argus.
Both yachts were favourably placed however race director Herb Prendergast said 'There are several other yachts who have a fleet position to change the top order overnight'.
The Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race is Queensland's premier blue water classic and recognised nationally and internationally as a challenging and notable race.
Major partners of the 60th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race are Brisbane Marketing, First Tax & Duty Free Brisbane Airport, Gladstone Pacific Nickel Ltd, Pivotel TracerTrak, Shop Buy Fly together with media partners, The Courier-Mail and News Talk 1116 4BC.
The Brisbane Gladstone Yacht Race forms part of the Moreton Bay Autumn Festival, a new Lord Mayoral initiative, sponsored by the Moreton Bay Task Force of Mayors and supported by Brisbane Marketing. For further information about the Moreton Bay Autumn Festival visit www.moretonbayfestivals.com.au.
Click here for printer friendly version Click here to send us feedback or comments about this story.
If you want to send this story to a friend, please use link below
http://www.sail-world.com/USA/Quantum-Racing-saves-her-handicap-time-on-Ichi-Ban/42851
Click on thumbnails to enlarge and find more photos:
Customised news feeds -Marine Industry companies, Clubs and Associations have their own customised version of our Sail-World news feed on their website. Look_here_to_see_examples
