The opening day of SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week 2024 was not to everyone’s liking, as it was a little light on for breeze, but you couldn’t otherwise fault the beautiful warm and sunny day and flat water that was served up to the competitors taking part across the four classes split into seven divisions.
SeaLink Spinnaker Division 1 went to Leo Rodriguez’ Smooth Criminal (Qld), his RP36 pulling up nearly 10 minutes in front of Colin and Denise Wilson’s MKL 49, Never A Dull Moment (NSW).
Regular attendee, Ian Edwards has sailed his Dehler 46, Wings (NSW), into an early lead in Division 2, almost six minutes ahead of David Newton’s second placed Yknot.
“We all had to wait around for the wind, but it didn’t really come,” Edwards said of the delayed start, with officials originally intending to start at 11am.
“Denis (Thompson, the Principal Race Officer) did his best and eventually found there was more wind inshore. It was light in the 5-7 knot range when we had our spinnaker up, so we were sailing angles to try and get our way down to the mark,” Edwards explained.
“The wind built a little coming back – only to around 8 knots though. That was fine, because like others, we have some crew who sailed with us at Hamo and some new ones here, so we haven’t sailed together as a team before. I’d rather the first day be like this than say 20-30 knots” he said.
“Our team did well – tacked well, gybed well – it was good day out and I’m really impressed with Denis getting us a race in.”
Division 3 went to the Melges 32, Mac 2, sailed by brothers Andrew and John McDougall (NSW). They beat last year’s overall division winner, Private Equity, owned by Tim Campbel (Vic).
“It was really light,” Andrew McDougall agreed. “We had a good start on the pin end and that enabled us to get in front of the fleet on that side of the course. We were able to put our asymmetrical spinnaker up at the first mark and kept moving forward from there.
“The Melges always goes well in light conditions. We mainly sail Etchells at Gosford Sailing Club and campaign the Melges at regattas,” said McDougall, explaining they were keeping an eye on Joust, a J111 owned by Simon Cruickshank from the Northern Territory, which seemed to be in contention today but ended up fifth.
“This is our first time here. We were lucky we got in. It’s a great regatta. Very social. We’re finding it relaxed and professionally run on the water by Denis (Thompson). We’re impressed by the location and accommodation as well,” McDougall ended.
Daniel McSweeney’s Brigus (Qld), a Beneteau First 35, stitched up Division 4, with Jack Maguire’s Zen and the Art of Sailing, from the host club, taking second place.
Kim Younger’s Poppy prevailed in the Non Spinnaker division, taking exactly 11 minutes out of nearest rival in Dan White and Nikki Abbott’s Riff Raff. Both are from Queensland. One expects the handicapper will be making some adjustments…
Dennis Coleman is no stranger to the winner’s circle at this event with his Corsair Sprint MK1, Mistress (Qld). Today he topped the points table in the Multihull class from Will Ford’s Second Wind (NSW), which finished just 14 seconds adrift of Mistress.
In the Sports Boats, Justin Van Stom’s local boat Bambalam got the better of Julian Bethwaite’s Don’t Panic (NSW) by 13 minutes, so there could be a tweak or two to a handicap there too.
Townsville Yacht Club’s (TYC) annual event is now in its 17th year and becomes more popular with as each edition comes around.
Racing continues tomorrow from 11am.
For all information including full results please visit: www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au
By Di Pearson/SMIRW media
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