Audi Hamilton Island Race Week classic long race day

by Stephanie Hobbs on 21 Aug 2012
A forecast for light to moderate trade winds has been issued for the international fleet contesting the 63 nautical mile Club Marine Classic Long Race, the feature event of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012.

The IRC A and B divisions and super multihulls will contest the race, while the cruising and non-spinnaker divisions will now sail the 23 nautical mile Lindeman Island Race, which was postponed last Saturday due to light conditions.

Forecaster Kenn Batt says, ‘It appears the fleet will see light to moderate SE-E winds today. There is a chance that winds will drop out later this morning and a light to moderate E-NE sea breeze will develop,’ however there’s a question mark over whether the sea breeze will eventuate.

Topaz’s skipper Murray Gordon is grinning after yesterday’s non-spinnaker division win, which has put the Victorian Jeanneau 39 in the series lead after three races at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.

Race Week is ‘fantastic’ says Gordon, ‘it gets better every year.’ And although they are on the island mostly for the fun aspect, there is always competition for the silverware awarded at the regatta-end.

For Topaz, the boat they’re keeping a watchful eye on is Andrew Just’s Tucana, a larger Jeanneau design. Murray says Tucana might have the bigger and possibly more experienced crew, but Topaz isn’t going down without a fight, ‘we are trying, it’s going to be a great battle with them’ he said from pole position going into today’s Lindeman Island Race.

The Queensland crew of Scaramouche, racing in cruising division 1 like their top spot as well. They’re ahead on the series leaderboard after race three. Skipper Mark Burton recorded a top wind speed of 12 knots and boat speed of nine knots out on the water yesterday for their island course.

All information relating to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012 is on the regatta website