Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race - Loki starts season with a bang

by Lisa Ratcliff/CYCA Event media on 2 Aug 2010 Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race has seen Loki’s owner/skipper Stephen Ainsworth and primary helmsman, Gordon Maguire, head back to Sydney today safe in the knowledge their 2010/11 offshore campaign has started with a bang.

The crew of the Reichel Pugh 63 which was launched just prior to the 2008 Rolex Sydney Hobart has fired the first shot in the season’s opening event, the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race which will wrap up at Southport tomorrow, taking out the coveted IRC overall win.

'It was warm, fun and fast,' said the delighted owner at Southport Yacht Club this afternoon.

'We sailed well and the boat handled the conditions well. We knew if we could hang in with Black Jack and Wild Oats X we were in good company. The reaching and running conditions really suited those canting keelers so it’s very gratifying that we were lined up in a row with them at dawn yesterday.'

Loki, named after the Nordic God of mischief, made its big move around 14hrs into the 384 nautical mile race, hovering in the top three IRC placings until 11am yesterday, the point at which they led the standings until it was impossible for anyone to steal their crown.

'To use a rugby analogy, we always knew it was going to be a game of two halves,' said Maguire. 'The first half we had to get through in good shape so we could play out the second half, which was always going to be light and tactical.

'All the issues came into play in the second half, once you get over the border it gets edgy. The key is to know when to head inshore and our navigator, Michael Bellingham, did a great job making that call.'

On the star-studded crew, which included Alby Pratt, Anthony Merrington and Dave Davies, Maguire responded, 'Good boats attract good people'.

Maguire is honest enough to admit they are trying to patch up a couple of last year’s results. 'If we can right those wrongs we’ll have a damn good year,' he said.

'Stephen’s ultimate prize would be a Rolex Sydney Hobart win, and one day the CYCA’s Blue Water Pointscore. Personally I’d like to win Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. We have to set out with lofty goals, it keeps us honest,' the Irish round the world yachtsman laughed, the smile of a winner firmly plastered.

Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats X is currently sitting in second on the IRC overall leaderboard and Harvey Milne’s Aroona is provisionally third and yet to finish.

'We are just around Byron Bay light house and breeze is on the face,' said Aroona’s navigator Brett Filby just now.

'We never stopped trying for the outright win. We pushed very hard under spinnaker on the windy night, half expecting the Archambault to explode leaving us floating. But it didn’t wipe out once, thank the good Lord.

'It’s a great and well earned win for both Stephen and Gordon and the boys, certainly a massive result against the best larger size boats in the country.

'We now need to concentrate on the division four company, they are all very close. A little luck will be needed,' Filby added.

Next on Loki’s program is Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, 20-28 August, before they continue their Blue Water championship quest.

For more information, please click http://goldcoast.cyca.com.au!here.