Warm wind set to test yacht fleet.

Airlie Beach Queensland Thursday Aug 13 2009

Blue water yacht racing tacticians have been forced to revise their tactical strategy in preparation for the opening race of the 2009 Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week over the Double Cone-Armit Island course tomorrow

The expected light and unstable forecast of soft and warm northerly has been replaced by a variable sea breeze which will build from 10 to 15 knots during the progress of the island passage classic.

These conditions offer little compensation for errors in sail handling technique and strategy beside  providing a supreme test with close results expected in all classes from the Grand Prix IRC fleet to the fast lane sailing Sports Boats.

Defending IRC champion Ray Roberts and his crew of high profile Sydney and Melbourne sailors were happy to escape the cold climate but not so happy when they heard the forecast.

Their high performance canting-keel sloop Quantum Racing entered to race under the Evolution Sails ‘battle flag’ has a history of sticking in light winds which means the Evolution Sails crew could play catch up in their championship match race against Michael Hiatt’s new Living Doll for the honour of leading the series.
However there were a number of happier crews in the sports boat class with West Australian Heath Townsend and his crew including Queensland’s Darren Spence believing the new forecast will suit their challenge in the Melges 24 What Tha.

They are prepared for whatever wind velocity blows over the deck with skipper Heath Townsend happy toaccept what nature provides.
“Really there is no winter sailing destination in Australia which can compare with Airlie Beach just to experience the temperature, and sailing environment is well worth the effort and cost of travelling from the west”. He said.

The Perth sailor has a relaxed attitude and this is expected to pave the way for a top three finish when he becomes engaged in the duel for class honours on the warm Whitsunday Island waters tomorrow   

By Ian Grant.