Queenslanders excel in Audi Sydney Southport

by Lisa Ratcliff on 25 Mar 2007 Queensland boats are faring well on handicap in the Audi Sydney Southport Yacht Race, with two of the six entered in this year’s race leading their divisions on handicap.

With the line honours prize claimed by Matt Allen’s Ichi Ban at 5.13pm this afternoon, the battle is on for the prestigious handicap trophies but with the fleet broken up into five IRC divisions and PHS, there is plenty of silverware up for grabs.

At 8.15pm tonight Mike Freebairn’s Sparkman & Stephens 49 Margaret Rintoul II, was leading IRC Division 4, an outstanding result that is poignant for the young Freebairn who was leading the 2006 Rolex Sydney Hobart on handicap shortly before disaster struck. Freebairn's boat Ray White Koomooloo, a former overall winner of the ocean classic, fell off the back of a rogue wave and started taking water, Freebairn and his crew eventually deciding to step off the sinking vessel. Three months later Freebairn is back with a new boat, another classic of Australian yachting, and tonight he is leading his division in his comeback to ocean racing.

Bill Wild’s Welbourn 42 Wedgetail, also representing Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, is currently leading IRC Division 2 ahead of UK yachtsman Chris Bull’s J145 Jazz.

Vanessa Dudley, one of the crew on Wedgetail, tonight reported they were still in heavy southerly conditions.

'Today has been fast and frantic and all afternoon it’s been blowing 30-40 knots, gusting up to 46 knots'.

Wedgetail has passed Cape Byron and is currently sailing with a full mainsail and a number 4 jib. Given their current winning position, the crew is hoping the breeze doesn’t desert them. They will be the first Queensland boat to finish, due around 10pm tonight.

More reports of damage came from the Audi Sydney Southport fleet today with Alan Brierty’s Corby 49 Limit, sailing in its first race under the new owner, sustaining steering gear damage. Sailing master Roger Hickman believes the damage occurred during a heavy gybe and advised this afternoon that they were proceeding north under reduced sail and steering by tiller.

Graeme Wood’s Wot Yot finished at 8.18pm tonight and Geoff Ross’ Yendys finished at 8.38pm. Stephen Ainsworth’s Loki is the next boat due to finish the 384 nautical mile race.

The breeze at the Gold Coast for the finish is currently 22-29 knots from the south.