Trade winds return to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

by Lisa Ratcliff on 19 Aug 2012 The seasonal trade winds have thankfully returned to provide the international fleet of 163 with excellent sailing conditions for racing on day two of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.

South east winds in the 15-20 knot range are expected to hang in for racing while the cloud cover is likely to increase this morning bringing possible light rain this afternoon.

After drifting about in unseasonal light winds yesterday there was a welcome movement in the air this morning when the wind direction changed from a warm northerly to a cooler southerly.

The first sign of the change was recorded before dawn when the initial 12 knot gust blew over Hamilton Island at 4.30am to finally ripple the waters of the Whitsunday Passage following yesterday’s glassy conditions.

There is no doubt the arrival of more reliable winds will be welcomed by the crew of specialist heavy wind sailors who man the deck of the New Zealand speed sailing ORMA 60 trimaran Team Vodafone following their match race loss to the Sean Langman skippered Team Australia.

The arrival of a more reliable and stable sailing breeze means the grand prix Audi Australian IRC Championship fleet will cast their mooring lines to commence their championship quest with up to three windward/leeward races on the eastern course area.

The SB20 class and Melges will also race triangle courses in the same vicinity.

The remaining divisions will race an island course starting to the south of Hamilton Island.

All information relating to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012 is on the regatta website