A 15 year old high school girl from Yeppoon is showing the boys how it's done and the leading boats had to dodge whales before claiming victory during a spectacular day at the 19th Annual Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week.

St Ursula's student Shelley White was an integral member of 49 foot Audi-Centre Melbourne as the boat had another fine race to remain just 1 point from the overall handicap lead in IRC Division One.

While other schoolgirls are dreaming of swimming through the water like Stephanie Rice, Shelley wants to go above the water in a dinghy at the London Games in search of gold.

'I first learnt to sail at six from my old man and have loved it ever since,' Shelley said.

'I am really grateful to both mum and dad who have given up so much so I can chase my Olympic dream.'

The Olympics seem almost a certainty rather than a pipe dream as Shelley is already proving to be a sensation at the sailing game.

Shelley took out Australian Under17 Optimist Dinghy Championships and came second in a heat (the best ever performance by an Australian at this class) at last month's world championships in Turkey.

'I don't think the boys like it very much when I win,' she said.

The Olympics maybe the future but this week for Shelley it's all about learning from experienced sailors and hopefully helping Audi-Centre Melbourne take out the title.

'In today's 29 nautical mile race, I was in afterguard and I made a couple of tactical suggestions which I think helped us.'

It won't be easy with the likes of Victoria's Living Doll taking today's handicap honours despite having to change course to avoid some whales.

Last night, the social side of Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week went off with a bang with the Fantasea Cracker night drawing three thousand spectators to the foreshore.

Merdien CEO Warwick Bible said it was the perfect start to what promises to be the biggest party week in Airlie this year.

'It's a spectacular not just on the water but we have a huge social scene planned and we want the whole town involved,' he said.

by Shaun Rigby

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