Magnetic Island Race Week - Black Rose and the Vikings

by Rob Kothe on 4 Sep 2009
Captain James Cook and his sailors discovered Magnetic Island in 1770. With a madly swinging compass, he decided the Islands hills must be full of iron and so came the name for this island jewel, Magnetic Island.

Today another band of sailors, this time the Vikings aboard the fighting ship Black Rose, will be launching an invasion in Nelly Bay.

Just in time for 2009 Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week.

Last year Townsville sailor Rod Hart and crew were pirates. More laughing than sailing on his big antique ketch. Until this week the nature of the hijinks theme for their 2009 regatta was secret, but Rod has revealed all.

Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week starts today with Pre-event final registration and the Welcome Party at Peppers Resort.

Beyond this picture of the lead Viking, yesterday, the Sail-World team took these images on the beautiful and relaxed island, situated just a 20 minute Sunferries fast 'Cat' ride away from Townsville.

More than half of Magnetic Island is National Park, 5,194 hectares, with Mt Cook rising from the centre of the island. Granite boulders protrude on the shoreline and throughout the Hoop pine and eucalypt forests.

Cleveland Bay is a great stretch of water and racing will commence tomorrow, Saturday 5th September and continue until Tuesday 8th September.

Sunferries will be providing a Spectator Cat so visitors and residents will be able to catch all the on-water action. For further details visit the Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week website: http//www.magneticislandraceweek.com