It was another big day on the water for the 36th running of Whitsunday Sailing Club’s Ocean Dynamics and Mount Gay Airlie Beach Race Week 2024, although it was more ‘doable’ than yesterday’s race, as the seaway was a lot more user friendly according to competitors.
Ray Roberts did it again in Rating Division 1, but Gordon Ketelbey came oh so close with his TP52, Zen, missing the win by just 34 seconds. So far ahead on the race track was Ketelbey, all thought he had it in the bag, but no. Tomorrow is another day.
In Rating Division 2, Mark Skelton’s Nocleks won today’s race and leads the series after a third place yesterday.
“The start line was biased so it was hard to cross and a tight reach to the next mark. Conditions were similar to yesterday. There was more wind in the Passage though, gusting 20- 25 knots. The seaway was better, which suited us,” Skelton said.
“We sailed better today than we did yesterday. Sunfish was leading overall, so we were watching them, Clockwork and Joust, keeping our eyes on them.”
Skelton, from Lake Macquarie explained, “We had to throw a crew together, because my son Joel was supposed to sail the boat. He couldn’t make it at the last minute, so we’re still getting it together. We’re taking today’s result and working on making it as good tomorrow.”
Three boats are going at it hammer and tong in the Trailable and Sports Boats Division 1. In the box seat are the Bethwaite 89er Don’t Panic, John Rae and Gary Smith’s Bethwaite 79er, Vivace and Malcolm Dean’s Shaw 650, Black Betty. The trio finished yesterday and today’s races in that same order.
Don’t Panic, owned by the designer, Julian Bethwaite, has made the best of the conditions: “The boat’s going well,” the NSW sailor/designer said. “We’ve done a lot of work with it and got it going better and we’re having a good time. The ride downhill today was fantastic, helped by our light crew weight. It was fabulous – we had a wonderful time. Yesterday was a bit rough, especially the long slog home.”
In Division 2, Judi Marshall And Steve Brierley’s Ross 780e, Expresso Martini (Tas), won the race from two Queenslanders, Rossgo (Greg Hammon) and Norbet G (Mireille Morcos). As a result, the three are currently first, second third overall after two races.
It’s no surprise to find Paul Mitchell’s Ullman Sails leading Multihull Division O. The local sailor has won both races sailed to-date and leads Joel Berg’s Hooligan and Mike Peberdy’s High Voltage. All three are Extreme 40’s from Queensland. The GC32 and M32 sailing in the division have so far failed to make an impression on the Extremes, but lighter weather predicted tomorrow, that could change.
Multihull Division 1 is led by Peter Hackett’s Intrigue, a Corsair F28r from Queensland, following their wins of yesterday and today. Behind are Gordon Myers’ Harmony (Qld) and Terry O’Brien’s The Stig (NSW).
“I’m stuffed and bruised but fantastic,” Hackett said this afternoon. ”This is a new boat for me, my eighth, it’s a 1997 model, but I’ve done a lot of work to it and yes, I’ve got a great crew, so I’m pretty lucky.
“Conditions were fantastic. It was light last year, so it’s nice to have wind. It’s almost been survival conditions, but we haven’t broken anything and haven’t made any mistakes – yet!”
“The local guys, Terry’s (Terry Archer) G’Nome, beat us a few times last year and would have beat us today, but they had a nose dive down a wave and a crew member broke his collar bone.
“We’ve been coming up here for many years and it’s really nice sailing – and cruising beforehand with my wife. But the highlight is getting out with other similar sized multihulls. It’s a lot of fun. It’s hard work to get here, but it’s very rewarding,” said Hackett from Shorncliffe in Queensland.
Ocean Dynamics and Mount Gay Airlie Beach Race Week 2024 is held from place from 8-15 August and enjoys continued support from Tourism and Events Queensland, including as a feature on the It’s Live! Queensland events calendar. The event also enjoys support from Coral Sea Marina Resort and d’Albora Port of Airlie Marina.
For all information, visit: www.abrw.com.au
By Di Pearson/WSC media
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