Sydney Mackay race leader in company of whales

by Lisa Ratcliff on 1 Aug 2006 Sydney Mackay Yacht Race leader Skandia is glad to have the company of a pod of breaching humpback whales which are putting on a fantastic aerial show for the 30m maxi as they head north towards the islands off Rockhampton in a 10 knot sou’easter.

As skipper Grant Wharington was relaying an update this morning, two whales breached simultaneously just 200 metres from the boat, providing a welcome distraction for the crew of 16 who have sailed more than 600 nautical miles by themselves.

At almost twice the size of the nearest boat contesting the Sydney Mooloolaba and Sydney Mackay yacht races, the Done Jones designed 98 footer Skandia quickly left the fleet behind following Saturday’s start on Sydney Harbour and hasn’t seen a fellow competitor since.

They took line honours in the 468 nautical mile race to Mooloolaba just before 5.30pm late yesterday afternoon and are expected to claim the double of a line honours win, and new race record, in the inaugural race to Mackay.

'Depending if this breeze holds we expect to be at Mackay by early afternoon tomorrow,' said Grant at 0930hours today.

'There could be more breeze further up the track but the gybe angle to get to it is not good,' he added.

Instead of heading over to Skandia Cowes Week, which started on Saturday in the UK, Wharington chose to stay in Australia and race in the CYCA’s inaugural race from Sydney to Mackay, via Mooloolaba.

Before the start, Wharington, clearly delighted to be back on home turf following the Volvo Ocean Race was excited about the race and its prospects for the future.

'It’s just fantastic that the CYCA have introduced such a novel race into the Australian program. It’s an exciting way to get Australia’s racing yacht population up north in preparation for Hamilton Island Race Week, which is always a great event, and I really hope that this race gains in popularity over time. I feel certain it will.'