Wild Oats X heads for win -Audi Sydney Gold Coast

by Rob Kothe on 29 Jul 2007 22nd Audi Sydney to Gold Coast Race update - Earlier in the evening the two Reichel Pugh's, Steven David 60 footer Wild Joe and Bob Oatley's 66 footer Wild Oats were side by side 10 miles south of Cudgen Headland.The land breeze has not yet built and the sea breeze has died, the boats were drifting in half a knot of breeze.

It had become a battle of nerves. Who was going to get the land breeze first and round Point Danger on a zephyr leaving the other behind.

Wild Oats X found the first breeze line and sailed away.

As they approach the lights of Southport Wild Oats X remains in front of Wild Joe but the smaller Reichel-Pugh 60 is still hanging close, hoping the leader will fall into a hole.

Matt Allen’s Ichi Ban is still in third place, more than nine nautical miles behind the race leader, almost becalmed south of Fingal Head.

It’s been a frustrating day for Allen and tactician Michael Coxon who went offshore in search of breeze after being passed by the two Reichel/Pughs.

'We were caught out offshore which cost us a bit,' Allen told race officials, tonight. This evening Allen reported the early than anticipated arrival of the westerly land breeze which has subsequently petered out.

It will be a lonely night finish for the first three over the line and given the outgoing tide, they might have to stand off until daylight and the morning high tide before attempting to enter the Gold Coast seaway.