The Zhik Mission Beach Regatta overall - Sailing the Coral Sea

by Thomas Orr on 31 Dec 2015 The annual Zhik Mission Beach Regatta was again sailed off Mission Beach in the warm tropical waters of the Coral Sea in great weather and perfect wind conditions.

Mission Beach which is made up of four beach villages linked by 14 kilometres of wide golden beach, is about two hours drive south of Cairns and some 1,600km north of Brisbane.

Sailing on day one saw wind blowing from the NE which had the around Dunk Island race, the second and last race of the day, sailed in a clockwise direction for the first time in 10 years. Conditions proved to be testing with the breeze being lighter on the outside of the Island at around 10 knots and sailors being confronted with a decision whether to go close to the Island or go longer and wider. Adam Beattie and Jamie Leitner from Cairns Sailing Club took out the Round Dunk Island race sailing the F18 'Seaswift'.

Day two saw a good steady breeze of around 12 knots also from the NE which enabled three back to back races to be sailed.

Results:

Sabots - 'Another Menace' sailed by Joshua Claus from Townsville Sailing Club
Bics - 'Gas Bag' sailed by Kristen Wadley from Tinaroo Sailing Club
Cats - F18 'Seaswift' sailed by Adam Beattie and Jamie Leitner from Cairns Sailing Club
Laser - 'Expresso' sailed by Marcus Bulstrode from Tinaroo Sailing Club
Tasars - 'Too Shifty' sailed by Lachlan Heath and Carmen Walker from Darwin Sailing Club