Pussy Galore wins at Airlie Beach

by Rob Kothe on 11 Aug 2006 A rare off the breeze start for the 23 nautical mile Double Cone Armit Race today in the 17th annual Airlie Beach Race Week and it was the Kiwi's Day, with the Auckland built canting keeler, owned by New Zealander Antatole Masfen blitzing the field.

The IRC Division was first away in a south westerly of 20 knots, with Michael Hiatt’s Living Doll and Anatole Masfen’s Pussy Galore both hitting the line with speed.

Pussy Galore was higher and faster and flying straight at Double Cones. Living Doll (Michael Hiatt) sailing with her canting keel fixed was falling away to leeward, but both were still higher than the following fleet.

Behind them Quest of Queensland (Kevin Miller) was taking the centre line on the course and Quantum Racing (Ray Roberts) was in close pursuit.

Approaching Double Cone, Living Doll took a better line and she took distance out of the leader. The same thing at Armit, round the island Pussy Galore was just 100 metres ahead of Living Doll but up the beat she was soon showing a clean pair of paws.

Anatole Masfen; ‘We were quick today, just quick enough. Living Doll, even with her fixed keel, she kept sailing up to us. It was only on the beat that we found the speed we needed.

Michael Hiattt; ‘We were pleased with today. Sailing with a fixed keel is good for the numbers; we sailed better tactically closing around the islands. However it was a different story upwind.’

North Sails is sponsoring the presence of meteorologist Ken Batt, who agonized over the wind strengths. ‘The high strengthened down south by two hectopascals, so the breeze was more than we predicted.'

At the end of the day, Principal Race Officer Tony Denham, talking to Battie; ‘It was pretty good today, you were almost right.'

Provisional results for the IRC division: Pussy Galore, Anatole Masfen, first with Living Doll, Michael Hiatt second and Quantum Racing, Ray Roberts DK 46, third.

In the PHS Racing Division, Restless, the Cape 35 skippered by Kane Davidson took the honours, with Airlie Beach ‘locals’, Charlie Preen and Greg Tobin scoring a second place on Dehler Magic, their Dehler 39.

Harbour Lights, Chris Townsend’s Northshore 370, from the North Queensland Cruising Yacht Club completed the podium placings.

In the Premier Cruising Division, Wayne Millar and the Zoe crew took first place, a good reward for this well sailed and campaigned Sydney 41.

Greg McMahon’s AfterNoon, the Beneteau 44.7 from Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club was second with long time supporter and stalwart of this event, Don Algie and his Warwick 66 Storm 2 finishing third. Storm 2 had a great afternoon also taking line honours in this division.

In the Cruising Division with Spinnaker, Breakaway, the Adams 12 sailed by Arthur King took the honours, followed by the Hanse 370 e Hanson, skippered by Colin Cox in second. Completing the places was Bliss, Paul Verdon’s Jutson.

In the Cruising Division without Spinnaker, Mick Phillips Spencer 30, Shearwater was first, with Tony Vidler’s own built Maravu, second. Lachlan Wilson sailed Felicity, his Clansman into third position.

In the Trailable Division, Spudgun, the RI 24 Drop, skippered by Bernie Ryan was first, followed by Charles Baker’s Baker's Dough, the Spider 22 Mk2m. Third was Lorna Rose Too, Peter Mitchelson’s Clubman 8.

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Full results at www.airliebeachraceweek.com