Quantum Racing aims for Airlie

by Ian Grant on 16 Apr 2007 Ray Roberts the 2006 Airlie Beach Race Week champion will line up against an impressive fleet when he and his champion offshore racing crew defend their title over the Whitsunday Sailing Club courses later this year.

Skipper Roberts and his world title winning tactician Stephen McConaghy, proved they were the star performers in the intense tactical short course racing when they became the first crew to win the Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island Race Week IRC class titles during August 2006.

They have continued their outstanding form with the Mick Cookson designed canting keel sloop Quantum Racing to score a runaway win in the Audi Sydney to Gold Coast followed by a close second in the 2007 Brisbane to Gladstone Race over the Easter weekend.

Quantum Racing, already nominated as the pre-regatta favourite to win the Grand Prix IRC title and the prestigious Meridien Airlie Beach Race Week trophy in 2007, was poised to continue with her domination of the major coastal passage races when she finished the 306 n/ml Brisbane to Gladstone race with a fast 12.3knot average.

However while her course time was fast it was not fast enough to save her 1.3510 IRC rating against Saltash II, the .9370 rated 42 year old modified Yachting World Diamond skillfully skippered by Ian Wright.

The Quantum Racing crew looked set to prepare a victory speech when Saltash II cleared Lady Elliot Island, with what appeared to be a hopeless task, with 85 nautical miles to sail.

But the never say die attitude of her crew including Ian and Bill Wright, navigator Peter Cavill, Tony Reik and Trent Rowell completed a roller coaster ride before a building breeze peaking 17.6 knots and 12.6 knot average to snatch their eight Gladstone Race win with 33 minutes 39 seconds to spare.

Sure the Quantum Racing crew was disappointed, but their form continues to suggest they will be the favourite to win the Meridien Airlie Beach Race Week trophy when the battle lines are drawn on Pioneer Bay in early August.

As expected, the regatta notice of race has attracted interest from a number of high profile crews from Australia and New Zealand who rate the international series at Airlie Beach as the perfect boat speed evaluation trial, to be race prepared for the Audi Race Week at Hamilton Island.