| Australia. Amity, Alegria, Hans-on and Monkey Magic in contention for best Sunshine Coast yacht |
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| Wednesday, 23 August 2006 | |
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Ian Grant: Sunshine Coast offshore racing sailors have cast the mooring lines from the Mooloolaba Marina to casually cruise north to enjoy a ‘tough’ campaign of international regatta racing in the warm Whitsunday Islands. Bob Robertson a dual winner of the Brisbane to Gladstone race was among the first to track the compass bearings past Noosa Head, Lady Elliot Island and the Percy Islands while navigating his course into the popular winter racing environment of Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island. The veteran skipper who has tracked the course on many occasions with various yachts cruised in style and comfort aboard his well known Bavaria cruiser racer Monkey Magic. Robertson is still respected as a determined competitor and always manages to race hard which over the years has resulted in some spectacular broaches. He has never been known to back off when the wind gusts into the high 20 knot range and the colour photo collection of his spectacular Chinese Gybe off Sydney Heads in 1988 remains as a feature collection in various yacht clubs around the World. It was a nerve bending experience for skipper Robertson and crew when Queensland Maid was pinned down with the force of a 55 knot South West breeze as she was blown sideways towards the rocky cliff face of North Head. Fortunately Queensland Maid survived the dramatic incident but the experience while being frightening at the time has not curbed Robertson’s give it your best shot type attitude. The popular veteran was again captured on camera performing another ‘Wheel Standing’ somersault during the Airlie Beach Race Week on Pioneer Bay. However while skipper Robertson and his Monkey Magic crew have flown their distinctive battle flag with pride during the 2006 Hahn Premium Race Week at Hamilton Island their title as the best performing Sunshine Coast yacht is under serious threat. They placed their score card in damage control on Tuesday when the wind backed off but earlier race results will still give them the chance to haul back when the contest the 30 n/ml Baynham Island race today. Monkey Magic won the race in 2004 and no doubt those navigation notes will become an important part of their race strategy as the forecast will be very similar. After three races the Mooloolaba yachts Amity (Ian Griffiths) and the exciting new A40 Alegria skippered by Rod Jones share fifth place overall after Amity scored an impressive second in the Island passage race on Tuesday. The Col Thomas and Nick Cox skippered Hanse 370 e cruiser racer Hans-on is also performing up to her design potential in the highly competitive cruising class. Hans-on holds a 13-10-2 score and her improving results suggests she has the potential to win a valuable collection of Waterford crystal trophies before the final race is decoded over the 23 n/ml race around Lindeman Island on Saturday. The progressive results suggest that Amity will win the best Sunshine Coast yacht of the series however Alegria, Hans-on and Monkey Magic remain in contention. |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 23 August 2006 ) |
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