Wright tactics prevail yet again

by Ian Grant, Courier Mail on 28 Mar 2005 Baby Brisbane ocean racing sloop Saltash II surfed the building swell across Hervey Bay on Saturday night to claim her seventh win in the 308-nautical mile Brisbane to Gladstone race yesterday.

The modified Diamond class sloop, which celebrates 40 years of racing later this year, again handed the strong fleet a lesson in what proved to be a tactically demanding race.

Principal helmsman Ian Wright, a specialist steerer in moderate to fresh winds, was the driving force behind the result, electing to sail a more inshore course when Saltash II cleared Moreton Bay after dusk on Friday night.

`We were in good shape next morning sailing inside a number of boats,’' Wright said.

This tactic enabled Saltash II to hold an early corrected time advantage on her major rivals -- including 2003 Sydney to Hobart race winner Michael Spies in First National Real Estate -- as they prepared to tackle the difficult stretch past Double Island Point and Wide Bay Bar.

They remained a frontline contender when a turbulent frontal system with strong winds, showers and frightening water spouts scattered the smaller yachts as they tracked a course towards Indian Head.

Fortunately Saltash II, unaffected by the weather change, was in her element when her crew of Ian and Bill Wright, navigator Peter Cavill, Tony Riek and Trent Rowell enjoyed a fast ride before the building breeze.

‘`The old girl is a joy to sail downwind and this added to a pleasant sail across Hervey Bay as we enjoyed an Easter celebration by feasting on a pot of pasta and toasted sandwiches,’' Wright said.

Saltash II, Gladstone sloop Wistari (Scott Patrick) and 1964 race winner Pagan (Peter Kerr). known as the Golden Oldies in a high-performance fleet of modern yachts, held winning chances when they entered Gladstone Harbour at various times yesterday morning.

But the Saltash II crew firmed their grip on another important victory when they completed the course just before 9am to set a time which Wistari and Pagan were unable to match