Slow sailing for Townsville Cairns fleet

by Ian Grant on 3 May 2001 Ocean racing strategy changed dramatically for the Air Niugini Coral Sea Classic fleet when they sailed into the predictable light winds after dusk off the tropical North Queensland coast tonight.

Average speeds dropped off when the ideal 12-15 knot spinnaker sailing South East trade winds bent towards the land to provide a fickle northwest wind shortly after the leaders had set their compass bearing to clear Hinchinbrooke Island.

Tactics became a guessing game when the wind proved difficult to predict as the night wore on leaving some crews sailing into calms while others found some pressure under the scattered rain clouds.

However according to the fleet radio report at 2100 hours the race was very much up for grabs with handicap honours slightly favouring the Townsville sloop Harrier skippered by previous series winner Clive Scott.

But it was really too close to call with the two Royal Papua Yacht Club sloops Racketeer (Andrew Thompson) and API Midnight (Laurie Needham) also well placed.

Both Thompson and Needham who are unhappy with their allocated performance handicap ratings continued to prove they were a threat to record the fastest corrected handicap time when they approached the half waypoint in the 180n/ml Townsville to Cairns race earlier tonight.

There is simply too much pride and rivalry between these two crews to allow the race to slip into a drifting match.

They were reported to be tracking each other in a match race, which started in the opening seconds on Townsville's Cleveland Bay earlier today and will continue until they finish in Trinity Inlet Cairns sometime after dawn tomorrow

Meanwhile the Cairns to Port Moresby race record holder Room With A View skippered by Matt Jensen of Cairns retained a comfortable line honours lead but was contained to a slow sailing average speed and was not expected to complete the course before 9am tomorrow (Thursday).