Airlie Beach Race Week - Sailors prepare to test their tactical reps

by Ian Grant on 30 Jul 2012 The traditional bets of Bundaberg Rum have been wagered as sailors from around the nation prepare to test their tactical reputations in the popular Telcoinabox Airlie Beach Race Week.

This popular annual regatta hosted by the Whitsunday Sailing Club in the tropical winter sailing paradise of Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands has attracted a record fleet to duel for ten class championships from August 10-16.

Sailors from the colder climates have cast aside their fur lined Ugg Boots and packed their boat bags with colourful crew shirts for what is known as Queensland’s Tropical Shirt Regatta.

Among the first time entries in record fleet is the Warwick 80 Maatsuyker which has cruised from the windy West Tasmanian fishing and tourist port of Strahan.

Her proud owner Ron Morrison who completed a refit of Maatsuyker in Brisbane 12 months ago is no stranger to enjoying a winter cruise in the Whitsunday Islands.

However this will be his first official entry into Queensland’s Festival of Sails.

As expected Ron Morrison a friendly Tasmanian commercial fisherman has made no predictions about his personal expectations except to enjoy some happy sailing in the warmer tropical Whitsunday Islands.

During the closing stages of the refit Ron Morrison said, 'I have left things a bit late to race this year but we will enjoy a cruise then come back for some racing in 2012'.

The impressive Warwick 24.6m Maatsuyker presents a threat to local skipper Don Algie who with his equally impressive Warwick 20.3 m Storm 2 has dominated the line honours in the Cruising Class.

Regatta founder Don Algie has the important tactical experience gathered from winning the class ‘Gun Boat’ trophy and while Storm 2 faces a supreme test he is not about to allow his Tasmania rival an untroubled path.

Technically waterline length and sail power will favour the larger Maatsuyker but the crew who man the deck of Storm 2 have the important knowledge of racing on these tactically tricky waters which will be important when Storm 2 starts the defence of her line honours title in the Double Cone/Armit Island race on Friday August 10.