Oldest and smallest upsets hi-tech Sports Boats

by Peter Campbell on 21 Aug 2008
The smallest, oldest and least expensive yacht in the Sports Boat fleet, Quantum Sails, from Southport Yacht Club, has taken out the highly competitive Sports Boat Division at the Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week which ended today on Pioneer Bay.

Graham Sherring in his little Egan 6 completed the regatta with a winning margin of 13 points after winning four of the eight races on corrected time under the newly SMS (Sports Measurement System) of handicap a fleet varying widely in size, cost and speed.

Built more than ten years ago, Sherring bought the the Egan 6 three months ago, adding a new bulb keel for this regatta.

Class officials have praised the new SMS system as providing a much better level playing field, praising the sailing skills of Sherring and his crew, just three all up, aboard Quantum Sails.

Quantum Sails’ success was helped when nearest rival, Bendigo Private, Cam Rae’s Thompson 8 from Royal Geelong Yacht Club, broke the start.

Bendigo Private was second last in the fleet at the first windward mark after returning to restart and did well to place 9th overall on corrected time. First of the Melges 24s to finish, Heath Townsend’s Kaito from Perth, also placed third in today’s race.

The final pointscore saw Quantum Sails finish the regatta on 11 points (placings 2-1-1-1-4-2-1-3) with Bendigo Private on 24 points (9-3-3-3-1-3-2-9), third overall going to Kaito on 32 points (4-2-7-12-3-4-6-6).

Today’s final race was sailed over a triangle course on Pioneer Bay in breezes of 10-12 knots, the lightest breeze of the regatta.

Full results: www.airliebeachraceweek.com.au