Quantum Racing wins Airlie Beach Regatta

by Rob Kothe & Al Constable on 17 Aug 2006 Ray Robert’s DK46 Quantum Racing won the final race in the IRC division in the 17th annual Airlie Beach Race Week and with that win, the regatta.

There was plenty of tension in the pre-start with Quantum Racing and Michael Hiatt’s Cookson 50, Living Doll Pussy Galore sailing with her canting keel fixed, equal in points.

Ray Roberts, probably the most active campaigner in the Asia Pacific was not on his boat to enjoy the battle. Jamie Wilmot, was the right sailor in the right place, having brought the Sydney 38 Transfusion up from Sydney faster than expected, he was available to take the helm when Roberts had to go to Brisbane on business.

Wilmot tried to hold Quantum Racing head to wind, to force Living Doll over at the start, but that backfired. The Cookson 50 was able to bear away, hitting the line with speed, while the DK46 was stalled; she had to duck the fleet, not a good start to this critical race.

McConaghy agreed. ‘We had an average start. But we fought back and we rounded only a few lengths behind Living Doll and on the first beat and run, we held them. On the second reach, a beam reach at 18 knots they smashed us, they were 90 seconds ahead on corrected time.

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‘However, the windward leewards helped us out. We improved on the next beat, we picked a few glamour shifts and we gained two and half minutes, then the damage was done and they did not seem to be able to get away from us. We ran pressure down on them quite a few times and that was the boat race.’

Wilmot was all smiles as he stepped off the boat. ‘I just can’t get believe Ray is letting work get into the way of sailing. We had a lot of fun this week. The Living Doll team is sailing really well, we had to work really hard for this win.'

Aaron Linton, Michael Hiatt’s tactician smiled ruefully as he climbed off the boat. ‘The reach was good for us, we had two minutes from them at the top mark, but we arrived at the wrong time, there was little pressure. They made their time back and with the square runs and true beats, we just could not get away from them.’

When results were confirmed in IRC Racing, Quantum Racing Ray Roberts DK46 took the prized first place, from Alan Brierty's well sailed Sydney 38 Limit on her first northern campaign, and Michael Hiatt's Cookson 50, Living Doll. Quest of Queensland, the Nelson Marek 46 of Kevin Miller finished fourth.

Overall, after eight races, with one drop, Quantum Racing took the crown from Living Doll and Limit. Pussy Galore, Anatole Masfen's Cookson 50 from New Zealand finished fourth.

In PHS, Jeff Paul's Mumm 30 Immigrant was first in Race 7, followed by Restless, Kane Davidson's Cape 35. The very consistent Dehler Magic, the Dehler 39 of 'locals' Greg Tobin and Charlie Preen was third.

The very consistent boat throughout the series has been Dehler Magic and she deservedly took the coveted Overall prize, from Restless with Mistery, Urs Waldmeier Swarbrick S99, third. Charlie Preen was grinning broadly; 'We were determined to win, after just missing out last year.'

In Cruising with Spinnaker, Simon Vincent's Rodgers Aito, finished in first with Colin Pruden's Swarbrick S111 Sandpiper second. Africa, Chris Nicholl's Bavaria Cruiser 42 was third.

Aito took the top spot Overall, Alabaster Ian and Kerry Westlake's Adams 13 finished second, with Hans-on, Colin Thomas and Nick Cox's Hanse 370e, third.

In Cruising without Spinnaker, Chille, Peter Hutchinson's New Zealand crewed Beneteau 473 took the honours, with Georgia, Jo Westlo's Beneteau 461 second.
Another Beneteau 473, Peter Hall's Rainbow was third.

Overall, after 6 races with one drop, the local Whitsunday Sailing Club sailors showed the other competitors how it was done, sweeping the podium clean. Felicity, Lachlan Wilson's Clansman was first, with ex-Commodore Mick Phillips Spencer 30, Shearwater second and Lady Hawke, John Hudson's Oceanis 390 third.

Going into the final race Phillips was leading the series, but bombed today. 'Just the wrong wind range for us and they cleaned us up. There is always next year.'

In the Trailable Division, True Blue Gerard Smith's Sonata came in first, with Bobsled, Bob McCamley's Spider22 Mach1 second and Charles Baker's Spider 22 Mk2m Baker's Dough third.

Overall, the consistent Baker's Dough triumphed, with Bobsled second and Spudgun, Bernie Ryan Rl 24 Drop, third.

In Race 9, the last race of the series for the Sports Boats, Julian Golding's Charley took first spot, with Tom Jordan's Liquid Tactics second and Franco Bortolin's So What, third.

In the Overall Series point score for Sports Boats, Chris Williams, from the RPAYC in his Thompson 7, Team G.U.E won from Gone Troppo, Jason Rucket's Elliot 780c from RQYS. In third place was the much traveled Steve Battley's Road Warriors, the WA based Thompson 7 from MOFSC.

Chris Williams commented dockside; 'Another great regatta. Our Class just loves racing here.'

In Premier Cruising, Monkey Magic, Robbo Robertson's Bavaria Match 42 was
victorious in Race 6, from Greg MacMahon's Beneteau 44.7 AfterNoon, with Wayne Millar's Sydney 41 Zoe in third.

Overall, the very consistent AfterNoon took out the top honours, with Monkey Magic and Zoe filling the minor placings. Greg MacMahon; 'An excellent series, wonderful courses, we have a great boat.'

Race Director Denis Thompson was also smiling. ‘A pretty successful regatta, the weather's been brilliant, so we have happy customers, very relaxed atmosphere. We only had two protests through the whole regatta. It was good to finish with a bit of breeze and a nice run around the bay.

'For next year we are planning more variety, with marks up to the northwest.'

Roger Hickman, tactician on Quest of Queensland and well known yachting identity was full of praise. ‘A very good regatta. We love the orienteering courses; you get your map and your compass, put on your running shoes and go as fast as you can.

'This regatta does these really well, the island passage courses. I’ve done eight Airlie Beach regattas in a row, not only is the scenery beautiful, these courses provide challenges for the crews that they never see doing windward leewards. Peeling headsails, reefing, changing spinnakers, the tides and the rocks all good challenges.'

The 17th annual Airlie Beach Race Week has been another great week of racing out on beautiful Pioneer Bay. Strong winds at the beginning of the week produced thrills and spills, especially in the exciting Sports Boat division, where several wounded competitors managed overnight repairs to be out and competitive the next day.

Supported by the competitors, the army of volunteers, both from the local community and from the wider sailing community and the sponsors, the event has a big success and the presentations will take place shortly in the Tooheys New Marquee.

Thanks to all the sponsors listed below and to the Airlie Beach community for hosting this great event in their lovely part of paradise.

Mark next year's event on your calendar as a 'must do' and see you all in 2007!!

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