Please select your home edition
Edition
Rooster 2025

Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week - Unique week of fun comes to an end

by Di Pearson on 6 Sep 2016
Elena Nova was a standout - 2016 Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week Andrea Francolini, SMIRW
Unique is the only way to describe Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week which wrapped up today after the record 71 entries concluded their courses - some halfway around Magnetic Island to pretty Horseshoe Bay return, the rest on a shorter course to White Rock return.

Magnetic Island Race Week is the last of the northern regattas, which traditionally starts with the Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, then moves to the Brisbane Great Keppel Race, Airlie Beach Race Week and Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.

Townsville Yacht Club has come up with the right recipe for those who make it this far north and are tired out from serious grand prix racing. It should be proud of the event which celebrated its 10th year in 2016.



Event Chairman and Club Director Mike Steel and his co-organisers have done a wonderful job from the ground up, this year taking over running the event from sponsor, Sealink.

The Club invited competitors heading here from Hamilton Island to a barbecue on the beach at Cape Upstart. Inaccessible by land, and totally unique to this event, around 100 people attended and dined on seafood donated by the Club.

“Competitors supplied the drinks. It was a wonderful night with a big fire on the beach. The seafood was fresh and it was really beautiful gesture enjoyed by all,” said Fair Winds owner, Mark Chew.

The location and setting is unique too. Conducted from Peppers Resort where the majority stay, a one minute walk from the Nelly Bay Ferry, Peppers has it all. Everything is within a one minute walk – the marina, restaurant, rooms, pools, a local IGA store and cafes. There is no need to wander far – only on lay day to experience the rest of the compact picturesque island.



Mike Steel, owner of the yacht Boadicca, along with Rear-Commodore, Tony Muller (owner of Brava), also support the event by racing at it, as they did again in 2016. TYC board members and general members are behind the event 100 percent, supported this year by entries from other parts of Queensland and as far flung as Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Tasmania.

“I am very happy with how it’s gone. It’s rewarding when skippers come up to you and shake your hand and thank us for what the Club has put together.

“When you walk around, everyone has a smile and is having fun. The whole mood we have tried to put into place – it’s a party, it’s fun – has caught on. I thank the 20 people on our team who help put Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week together and to our many volunteers who have worked so hard this week. We’re all looking forward to doing it again next year.”



Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week started with 21 entries 10 years ago; that’s equates to a 30 percent increase over a short period of time.

And the conditions and courses could not be complained about. It’s warm and mainly breezy. The opening day eased competitors in with six to thirteen knots of breeze, enough to keep everyone interested and active. Day 2 was very light, but sunny and warm, and the final two days, after a lay day delivered the quality in easterly winds of up to 20 knots.

Elena Nova, chartered from Craig Neil by Andrew Pearson found the groove early on to claim first overall in IRC, counting four wins from five races. It is the fourth time he has attended the event and is just as enthusiastic as ever, despite an 'oops' in the windward/leeward race today.



“It (fourth) was our worst result – a result of too much Pommery champagne last night,” Pearson said. “We had to haul the spinnaker out of the water, but we didn’t hit the start boat. The rest was good. After all the effort Craig Neil (boat owner) has put into the boat, it has reached its potential.”

On the event as a whole, Pearson said: “I still believe what Bob Steel said last year; it is the best regatta on the eastern seaboard.” His crew concurred, as did those moored next to them on Champagne.

“Denis and his team did their usual great job – we had great racing and great conditions.”



Denis Thompson and his race management team set daily courses to suit the conditions, allowing yachts to return to the dock in time for the afternoon festivities, where it became one big party. On the penultimate evening, guests were ferried to TYC for a cocktail party.

Poppy’s owner Michael Phillips, who has come all the way from South Australia commented: “It’s a fantastic regatta, but we should have done better. The average age on our boat is 66 and we’ve all had a great time and we’d love to come back.”

Well known Sydney sailor, Peter Sorensen has done the regatta a few times. “We’ve enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, despite a few mishaps, including running into Middle Reef yesterday and breaking a jib halyard today.



“We’ve loved the entertainment and particularly enjoyed the MC (Scott Hiller) – he made the regatta for me – kept us entertained – he lifts the whole entertainment,” said ‘Sorro’, who chartered IRC third placegetter Botany Access Cocomo.

After a day on the water, it’s back to Peppers for the daily prize giving over drinks and barbecue food, or dinner at the restaurant, right in front of the action, where you can view the daily racing and dockside antics on the big screen.

It’s a fun regatta, and a few crews dressed up each day. Stanley Barnes’ Librian crew kept us guessing with different dress. Goddesses one day, Disney characters the next and on the final day it was the Supremes. Librian has attended every Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week since its inception and will be here again next year.

Because it is such a unique event, the prize giving is a buffet dinner in Peppers Restaurant for all competitors. Remember when we used to do that at regattas years ago?



For the first time there is a Perpetual Trophy – the winner of each division will have their yacht’s name engraved on this inaugural trophy. In another first, each crew of a division winner will receive a gold medallion.

Overall prize winners receive a bottle Pommery champagne, a Sea Hawk voucher for two gallons of boat paint and a Musto cap, while second and third places receive prizes from Ross Haven Marine and Musto.

Overall top three in each division:

IRC – five races:

1. ELENA NOVA, Andrew Pearson, CYCA, 4 - 1, [4], 1, 1, 1
2. PONYO, David Currie, HIYC, 7 - 2, 1, [4I], 2, 2
3. BOTANY ACCESS COCOMO, Peter Sorensen, MHYC, 11- 3, 2, 3, 3, [3]

Performance Racing – five races:

1. LAST TANGO, Phil King, CYCA, 11 - 3, 2, 2, 4, [5]
2. OS WINE-DARK SEA, Peter Lowndes, RSYS/CYCA, 14 - [11R], 4, 1, 7, 2
3. 6838 PONYO, David Currie, HIYC, 14 - 4, 1, [9I], 5, 4

Multihull – four races:

1. THE BOAT, Graeme Etherton, TYC, 7 - 1, 1, 3, 2
2. 1S, MALICE, Malcolm Richardson, PDYC, 11 -, 4, 5, 1, 1
3. MISTRESS, Dennis Coleman, TCYC, 11 - 3, 3, 2, 3

Cruising – Division 1 – four races:

1. TEVAKE II, Angus Fletcher, HBYC, 12 - 5, 3, 3, 1
2. 3S, CHARM OFFENSIVE, James Permezel, RYCV, 17 - 2, 6, 6, 3
3. BIDDY HU 11, Paul Lindemann, RYCV, 17 - 4, 2, 5, 6

Cruising – Division 2 – four races:

1. WHITE NOISE, Daniel Edwards, SYC, 20 - 5, 12, 1, 2
2. FARRAGO, Paddy McCutcheon, TCYC 21 - 1, 1, 11, 8
3. AKARANA, Vicki Hamilton, TYC, 22 - 4, 6, 6, 6

Cruising – Division 3 – four races:

1. NORTHERN MOMENT, Vic Stevens, CCYC, 17 - 2, 3, 10, 2
2. BEROCCA DAZE, Mickey Ink, CYC, 21 - 5, 2, 5, 9
3. MARGARITA PEARL, Gary McCarthy, MOOLOOLABA YC, 23 - 7, 9, 6, 1

Non-Spinnaker Cruising:

1. FARE THEE WELL, Angus Jackson, WSC, 13 - 1, 3, 5, 4
2. FLASHDANCE II, Brian Evans, CSC, 17 - 2, 7, 6, 2
3. 2S FORTIFIED, Graham Van Brederode, TYC, 18 - 7, 8, 2, 1

Complete Results:

IRC & Performance Racing

 
Series Results [IRC] up to Race 5 (Drops = 1)
Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper From Sers Score Race 5 Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1   65007 ELENA NOVA Andrew Pearson CYCA 4.0 1.0 [4.0] 1.0 1.0 1.0
2   6838 PONYO David Currie HIYC 7.0 2.0 1.0 [4.0I] 2.0 2.0
3   5845 BOTANY ACCESS COCOMO Peter Sorensen MHYC 11.0 3.0 2.0 3.0 3.0 [3.0]
4   98 ZOE Mark Vickers TCYC 13.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 4.0 [5.0]
5   MH60 TSA MANAGEMENT Tony Levett MHYC 21.0 6.0C 6.0C [6.0C] 5.0 4.0


IRC & Performance Racing

Series Results [EHC] for Division 1 up to Race 5 (Drops = 1)
Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper From Sers Score Race 5 Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1   8975 LAST TANGO Phil King CYCA 11.0 3.0 2.0 2.0 4.0 [5.0]
2 2.0S 6188 WINE-DARK SEA Peter Lowndes RSYS/CYCA 14.0 [11.0R] 4.0 1.0 7.0 2.0
3   6838 PONYO David Currie HIYC 14.0 4.0 1.0 [9.0I] 5.0 4.0
4 1.0S 5845 BOTANY ACCESS COCOMO Peter Sorensen MHYC 15.0 1.0 5.0 [7.0] 6.0 3.0
5   40021 GUILTY PLEASURES VI Leon Thomas TCYC 15.0 5.0 3.0 5.0 2.0 [8.0]
6   65007 ELENA NOVA Andrew Pearson CYCA 20.0 8.0 [9.0] 8.0 3.0 1.0
7 1.0S 98 ZOE Mark Vickers TCYC 21.0 7.0 [8.0] 6.0 1.0 7.0
8   7717 BOADICCA Mike Steel TYC 21.0 2.0 7.0 4.0 8.0 [9.0]
9   6999 SENGA Belinda Cooper PDYC 25.0 6.0 6.0 3.0 10.0 [10.0]
10   MH60 TSA MANAGEMENT Tony Levett MHYC 37.0 11.0C 11.0C [11.0C] 9.0 6.0


Cruising - Spinnaker Div 1

Series Results [EHC DIV1] up to Race 4
Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper From Sers Score Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1   H101 TEVAKE II Angus Fletcher HBYC 12.0 5.0 3.0 3.0 1.0
2 3.0S R83 CHARM OFFENSIVE James Permezel RYCV 17.0 2.0 6.0 6.0 3.0
3   R187 BIDDY HU 11 Paul Lindemann RYCV 17.0 4.0 2.0 5.0 6.0
4 1.0S SM45 CHAMPAGNE Mal Pirret TYC 19.0 1.0 8.0 2.0 8.0
5   AUS52 INFINITY Edward Fader RYCT 19.0 3.0 5.0 4.0 7.0
6 2.0S 500 ANTIPODES OF SYDNEY Greg Newton CYCA 25.0 9.0 7.0 7.0 2.0
7   1129 FEMME FATALE Ann Maree Shanahan RMYS 25.0 6.0 4.0 10.0 5.0
8   E226 PILGRIM Paul Ley CYCA 29.0 7.0 9.0 9.0 4.0
9 4R 6344 POPPY Michael Phillips CYCSA 33.0 10.0 1.0 11.0 11.0
10   R1318 STORM Tony Johnson-Sneddo RYCV 33.0 11.0 11.0 1.0 10.0
11   R6806 BLUE CHIP Ian Lewis RYCV 42.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 12.0
12   Q090 SLIGHTLY UNSTABLE Brett McDermott TCYC 43.0 13.0C 13.0F 8.0 9.0


Cruising - Spinnaker Div 2

Series Results [EHC Div2] up to Race 4
Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper From Sers Score Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1   SM3535 WHITE NOISE Daniel Edwards SYC 20.0 5.0 12.0 1.0 2.0
2   497 FARRAGO Paddy McCutcheon TCYC 21.0 1.0 1.0 11.0 8.0
3   1104 AKARANA Vicki Hamilton TYC 22.0 4.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
4   409 BRAVA Tony Muller TYC 25.0 10.0 9.0 2.0 4.0
5   11 FALCON Russell Kingston TCYC 27.0 2.0 2.0 13.0 10.0
6 3.0S TSV37 ISEULTA Tristram Denyer TYC 29.0 3.0 7.0 12.0 7.0
7   181 TAP DANCER Owen Stanley TYC 29.0 8.0 8.0 4.0 9.0
8 3.0S R604 FAIR WINDS Mark Chew RYCV 32.0 12.0 14.0 3.0 3.0
9 4.0S 430 CAPRICORN DANCER Geoff Ingram NQCYC 32.0 6.0 4.0 10.0 12.0
10   38 HELENA MAY Lyndy & Chris Sawbri TCYC 32.0 7.0 5.0 9.0 11.0
11   6067 JUST MAGIC II Chad Leggett ASC 35.0 16.0C 13.0 5.0 1.0
12 3.0S YC981 CELEBRITY Wayne McNee BSC 43.0 9.0 3.0 15.0 16.0C
13   SA310 SHIRAZ Kevin Williams CYCSA/TYC 43.0 16.0C 15.0 7.0 5.0
14   YC598 WARRIGAL James Finch TCYC 45.0 11.0 10.0 8.0 16.0C
15   361 ANASTASIA Gary Donnellan CYC 51.0 13.0 11.0 14.0 13.0


Cruising - Spinnaker Div 3

Series Results [EHC DIV3] up to Race 4
Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper From Sers Score Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1   C192 NORTHERN MOMENT Vic Stevens CCYC 17.0 2.0 3.0 10.0 2.0
2   607 BEROCCA DAZE Mickey Ink CYC 21.0 5.0 2.0 5.0 9.0
3   31 MARGARITA PEARL Gary McCarthy MOOLOOLABAYC 23.0 7.0 9.0 6.0 1.0
4   4945 UNHINGED Vaughn Thompson TYC 25.0 6.0 8.0 4.0 7.0
5   373 JIMMY'S GHOST Simon Monfries TYC 26.0 10.0 12.0 1.0 3.0
6   6019 DRAGONFLY John McFaull TCYC 28.0 4.0 4.0 9.0 11.0
7   1478 LIBRIAN Stanley Barnes TYC 29.0 3.0 7.0 7.0 12.0
8 1.0S BOW08 SOUL SISTER Donna Dewhurst TCYC 31.0 1.0 11.0 11.0 8.0
9   84 SEALINK'S QUINKIN Rod Finucane TYC 31.0 8.0 5.0 8.0 10.0
10   C200 ESCAPADE Mike Schmidt CCYC 35.0 9.0 10.0 12.0 4.0
11   803 CHAMELEON Robert Clayton TCYC 36.0 15.0F 13.0 2.0 6.0
12   CAV35 ZEN Jack Maguire TCYC 37.0 15.0R 6.0 3.0 13.0
13   50 RAINBOW Stuart Cocker TYC 44.0 15.0C 1.0 14.0 14.0
14   402 KACHINA Phillip McGuire TCYC 49.0 15.0C 15.0C 14.0A 5.0


Cruising - Non Spinnaker

Series Results [EHC] up to Race 4
Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper From Sers Score Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1   6244 FARE THEE WELL Angus Jackson WSC 13.0 1.0 3.0 5.0 4.0
2   PF57 FLASHDANCE II Brian Evans CSC 17.0 2.0 7.0 6.0 2.0
3 2.0S MH35 FORTIFIED Graham Van Brederode TYC 18.0 7.0 8.0 2.0 1.0
4 1.0S 6632 PINDIMARA Mark McLean MHYC 18.0 6.0 6.0 1.0 5.0
5   400 FREYA Russell McLaughlin TYC 18.0 5.0 2.0 4.0 7.0
6   7022 STILL DANGEROUS Ivor Burgess RPAYC 24.0 4.0 4.0 8.0 8.0
7   00100 ENCORE Jim Milledge RYCT 28.0 15.0R 1.0 9.0 3.0
8   PD447 SHAZAM Doug Ryan PDYC 29.0 8.0 12.0 3.0 6.0
9   51 CALLISTA Ron Knott TCYC 32.0 3.0 13.0 7.0 9.0
10   467 QUIET ACHIEVER Ben Plummer MAG 36.0 10.0 5.0 10.0 11.0
11   M45 EQUINOX Phil & Eleanor Cunni LMYC 39.0 9.0 9.0 11.0 10.0
12   B38 OSTARA Lance Denby TCYC 49.0 11.0 14.0 12.0 12.0
13 10.0S SB600 SANTIAGO Catherine Schnell TCYC 53.0 15.0C 10.0 13.0 15.0R
14   X372 MELITA Mark Yates N/A 53.0 15.0C 11.0 14.0 13.0

Multi-Hulls

Series Results [EHC] up to Race 4
Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper From Sers Score Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1   TV389 THE BOAT Graeme Etherton TYC 7.0 1.0 1.0 3.0 2.0
2 1.0S N36 NACRA36C Malcolm Richardson PDYC 11.0 4.0 5.0 1.0 1.0
3   042 MISTRESS Dennis Coleman TCYC 11.0 3.0 3.0 2.0 3.0
4   3823 SALACIA Ian Johnson TYC 12.0 2.0 2.0 4.0 4.0
5   B112 A WHITER SHADE OF PA Roger Jepson RBYC 21.0 7.0R 4.0 5.0 5.0
6   C23 ALLEGRO OF SOUTHPORT D Bull / P Collidge RBYC 26.0 7.0C 6.0 7.0F 6.0

Pantaenius Sail 2025 AUS FooterNorth Sails Loft 57 PodcastX-Yachts X4.0

Related Articles

RS Aero World & Youth Worlds Day 3 & 4
A good variety of fair breezes have graced the event so far Beautiful Brittany weather and a good variety of fair breezes have graced the RS Aero World & Youth Worlds, so far after 4 days of intense racing and international with 170 RS Aeros representing 17 nations over the four RS Aero Class rig sizes.
Posted today at 6:52 am
58th Governor's Cup Match Racing Day 3
Justin Callahan (USA) goes undefeated for a third day on 19-0 With three flights remaining in the 2nd Round Robin, Callahan's lead is unassailable and is through to the Semis; likewise Josh Hyde (NZL) on 16-3.
Posted today at 5:36 am
43 Copa del Rey MAPFRE Day 4
Classy Vesper on course for victory but too close to call in all other classes Consistency across a long, hot and challenging three race penultimate day of the ORC European Championships proved vital in the quest for the top titles in all four classes at Palma's 43 Copa del Rey MAPFRE.
Posted on 1 Aug
Centenary edition respects the legend
Quotes from the Rolex Fastnet Race winners Alexis Loison and Jean-Pierre Kelbert are undoubtedly the right hands. Kelbert is the founder of the builder, and knows all the intricacies of Léon. Most significantly, Loison has previously won the Rolex Fastnet Race, in 2013.
Posted on 1 Aug
Last hurrah for centennial Rolex Fastnet Race
20kt breeze gives welcome momentum to the final boats attempting to finish A highly successful centenary Rolex Fastnet Race is into its last moments and with this the northwest wind off Cherbourg's Cotentin peninsula has today been blowing a sturdy 20+ knots, for the first time since last Saturday's start in Cowes.
Posted on 1 Aug
2nd GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race kicks off
Start line was considerably more congested than last year Against the dramatic beachfront skyline of Surfer's Paradise, a fleet of 27 yachts competing in the 2nd GCCM Gold Coast to Mackay Yacht Race got off to a spectacular start.
Posted on 1 Aug
Sailing to make Commonwealth Youth Games debut
Racing in Mellieha Bay, Malta in October 2027 Sailing will be part of the sport programme for the eighth edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in Malta, marking the first time that sailing has been included in the event.
Posted on 1 Aug
Class 40 Skippers Committed to the Planet
Projects which are much more than just offshore racing Thibaut Lefévère and Maxime Bourcier have created a project that is much more than an offshore race project. 100% Réunionese has a strong message: to use sailing as a means of raising awareness of ecology and of the region's influence.
Posted on 1 Aug
58th Governor's Cup Match Racing Day 2
Justin Callahan (USA) remains undefeated, with Josh Hyde (Nzl) in hot pursuit Keen observers of the 58th Governors Cup International Youth Match Racing Championship predicted that the three returning semifinalists from 2024 — defending GovCup champ and 2024 Youth Worlds champion Cole Tapper, Josh Hyde and Justin Callahan.
Posted on 1 Aug
2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior Worlds, overall
Thrilling finishes, surprise comebacks, national pride Thrilling finishes, surprise comebacks, and national pride highlight the final day of the 2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championships.
Posted on 31 Jul