Ichi Ban wins Gladstone monohull line honours

by Rob Kothe on 7 Apr 2007 Fresh from her line honours win in the 2007 Audi Sydney to Southport race, Matt Allens’ modified Volvo 70 took monohull line honours in the 308 nautical mile Brisbane to Gladstone race at 09:20:45 this morning.

It had been a slower than expected night but she missed the 2004 Brisbane to Gladstone record set by Grant Wharington in his supermaxi Skandia by only two hours.

'It was a very pleasant race,' said Allen with a smile, 'but Mr Wharington can rest easy that his record will stand for at least another year!

‘Although the breeze did pick up at times during the night (up to 25 knots) the weather we were expecting just didn't really materialise. The angles weren't quite right for us either - jibing downwind kept our VMG down.

‘But we had a very good race with the crew working well together and the boat performing just perfectly. We will be back next year to give that record another shot but in the meantime we are all very happy with another Line Honours win under our belts!'

Second across the line was Ray Roberts Cookson 50 Quantum Racing, she finished at 11:52:29

Graham Woods TP 52 Wot Yot is close to the Gladstone Harbour finish line now, while Heaven Can Wait and the Corby 49 Limit are expected to be next to arrive.