Raw Nerve leads Gladstone multi’s

by Ian Grant at Gladstone Race Control on 14 Apr 2006 Martyn Riley’s maxi catamaran Raw Nerve broke clear of the soft winds in Moreton Bay to build a handy lead in the Brisbane to Gladstone Multihull race tonight.

Riley who has the distinction of sailing the 308 n/ml course in the slick time of 18 hours 55 minutes 9 seconds in 2004 was facing an uphill battle to even challenge the 24 hour barrier after spending several hours almost becalmed in Moreton Bay.

Raw Nerve naturally needs some grunt in the breeze and when she cleared the Bay it soon became evident that the crew was keen to build a more respectable race average when they tracked past Noosa Head.

However while the Big Cat left a white water wake she was still several hours behind her career best time.

When skipper Riley reported his position race officials were surprised at the margin she held over the minor line honours contenders APC Max (Tony Considine), Raider (Joel Berg) and the Bob Hutchings skippered Voodoo Spirit.

Raw Nerve generated unmatched speed and simply powered away in the ideal 12 knot reaching wind to record speed in the high teens when she tracked past Double Island Point.

The Raw Nerve crew was comfortably sailing to their third consecutive line honours and a possible chance to win the race on corrected handicap when they continued to broaden the gap over the dueling group behind her.