Hamilton Island RW: Wild Oats XI comes from behind on Day 5
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/nz NZ 24 Aug 2018 06:33 PDT
25 August 2018
All concentration on Wild Oats XI as she chases Black Jack - Hamilton Island Race Week - Day 5 © Richard Gladwell
The three larger divisions headed offshore for another race around the Whitsunday Islands sailing a six leg course in a light easterly breeze of 8kts which faded as the race progressed.
Principal Race Officer, Denis Thompson produced two more course charts this morning bringing the available course options to a total of 42 for Hamilton Island Race Week.
Black Jack and Wild Oats XI got away to an even start towards the pin end, with Black Jack to windward and the smaller TP52's and Alive (60ft) between them and the Committee vessel, and the TP52 Balance to leeward.
After initially controlling Black Jack, the nine times Sydney Hobart winner Wild Oats XI dropped her rival as the fleet headed away from the start line on starboard tack, but let the Brisbane supermaxi back into the race when they came back on port tack.
Around the first and only laid mark of the 25.8nm course, Black Jack led once again in the light winds and stretched away on the second leg between Pentecost Island and Hamilton Island.
However as they turned into Whitsunday Passage the wind lightened further allowing the lead to swap back and forth before Wild Oats XI, ably navigated by MAPFRE's Juan Vila was able to break through, after a short luffing match. This time without protest and sailed away to win by just over a minute.
Behind the Reichel Pugh 66, Alive finished third, with the 52fters finishing in rating order.
The series concludes tomorrow, with easterly breezes again being forecast.
for full results clickhere