Racing resumed at Hamilton Island today, following the lay day on Tuesday and yesterday's abandonment caused by a total lack of wind.
In the best conditions so far, a tight tussle was fought out for line honours between the usual protagonists, Wild Oats X and Black Jack. After a tight start, Wild Oats headed for the right hand side of the course and rounded the first mark slightly ahead. However Black Jack fought back on the downhill run. In one of the most exciting finishes to date, Wild Oats held on to win by just 49 seconds and take her third line honours from five races.
In the battle for handicap honours among the 50 footers, Wot Now prevailed over Living Doll and Limit. However, the second placing was enough to move the Doll into first place in the series, one point ahead of Scarlett Runner, with Evolution Racinga further point back in third.
In Grand Prix Division 2, Shamrock took line honours from Dekadence, with Dekadence taking the race on handicap. The win moves Dekadence into first place, tied on points with Alegria.
In IRC Passage Division 1, Paul Clitheroe's new Beneteau 45 Balance won on handicap from Tulip and Bluewater and now leads the series by two points from Bluewater with Tulip third.
In IRC Passage Division 2, Alacrity was today's winner, with Aileron all but wrapping up the series with her second placing today. She leads by five points from Local Hero and is sailing very consistently.
The IRC Invitational division was won by Ginger from You're Hired and E11even, but Bribie Star still leads the series from Perpetual Moceon.
The Performance Racing division sailed two windward/leeward races today. Cleopatra won the first and Ishtar the second, with Never a Dull Moment showing consistency with two second placings. Ray Haslar's New Zealand boat Jive Talkin still leads the series but only on a countback from Ishtar, with Cleopatra a further three points back.
Performance Racing 2 has turned into a one-horse race, with Wirrajund winning both races today. On just four points, she leads Integrity by a amssive 8 points with two races to sail.
The Cruising divisions sailed a Mark Foy course, whereby the fastest boats leave last and try to work their way through the field. It was the first time a Mark Foy has been sailed at Hamilton Island, and the first time a race has started in Dent Channel in front of the new yacht club.
A good crowd gathered to watch the yachts drift across the line in very light breezes, but the wind filled in later and allowed for good racing. The division winners were Abracadabra, Northern Moment, Fade 2 Gray and Oasis.
Full results and series scores can be found at http://www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au/on-water-events/race-results.
