Spies, Spys on another claim to fame

by Ian 'Stripey' Grant on 16 Mar 2002 December 1999 was a special month in the successful offshore yacht-racing career of Hunter's Hill helmsman Michael Spies.

In fact Boxing Day 1999 was the start to an experience that was going to change the most single premier performance in a career that has many highlights and pitfalls.

Spies stepped into the cockpit of Nokia and told all who were prepared to listen that the water ballasted sprint machine was under two days away from changing Sydney Hobart race history.

He boldly predicted that Nokia he was co-skippering with Danish Olympian Stefan Myralf would slash half a day off the race record.

That was just a few hours before race start and the beginning to the most thrilling wave riding voyage ever experienced in 55 years of racing over the storm tormented Tasman Sea to Hobart.

The Spies record prediction was confirmed when the Nokia crew stepped ashore at historical Constitution Dock after slashing 18 hours 19 minutes of the previous best time set by the German maxi Morning Glory.

A little over two years later Spies has made another prediction that Shipping Central the sloop he races with co-owner/skipper Ashley Reed will be in the thick of the tactical 'dog-fight' for honours in the 54th Brisbane-Gladstone race.

Shipping Central launched in August 2001 has been a very consistent performer finishing second in the Hahn Premium Race Week and Australian IMS championship at Hamilton Island then finishing fourth overall and winning her class in the 2002 Sydney-Hobart race.

'I guess when our results are considered than we have to be a chance to win The Courier Mail Cup in the Brisbane-Gladstone race'.

'This will be my tenth Gladstone and the best chance of winning on handicap'. He said.

However while respecting the ability of Spies both he and the Shipping Central crew will face a supreme test of ocean racing against a very strong fleet that includes the defending champion and five times race winner Saltash 11 (Ian Wright) and the home town Gladstone race favourite Wistari (Scott Patrick)

The recently modified Sydney 40 Sledgehammer skippered by successful Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club sailor Ron Jones will also present Shipping Central with a match race for the fastest corrected time over 308 demanding nautical miles of ocean racing between Brisbane and Gladstone.

'We're in there with a better than even money chance and my Queensland crew mates Murray Hughes (Gladstone) and Gold Coast brothers Brian and Neil Sherring are equally determined to finish with a good result'. Spies said.