Black Jack leads Gladstone fleet

2:53 AM Fri 10 Apr 2009 GMT

'Black Jack Reichel Pugh Canting Keel 66 footer' Sail-World.com /AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

The impressively fast Brisbane pocket-maxi Black Jack skippered by Americas Cup sailor Mark Bradford established a comfortable line honours lead in the 308 nautical mile Brisbane to Gladstone Race earlier today.

Skipper Bradford wisely elected to start the Reichel Pugh 66 in clear wind midway down the line which allowed the Black Jack crew to generate unmatched speed in the 12 knot South East breeze while the smaller yachts in the 48 yacht fleet presented a log jam at the windward end of the line.

The Black Jack crew kept their tactical options open to tack down wind and were reported to have logged speed in excess of 15 knots on the initial five nautical mile leg to round the Garnett Rock Beacon.

As expected Black Jack continued to stretch her margin while the smaller Quantum Racing, Wot Now, Shogun and Wot Yot continued to stage a much closer battle for the minor places.

All of the top ten leading yachts which also included the Bill Wild skippered Wedgetail continued to log consistent speed in a building breeze as they tacked upwind to enter the North West shipping channel near the Tangalooma Resort.

There was an early casualty when Murray Bucknall's Melbourne to Osaka race winner Ryujin FGI terminated a spinnaker in the opening two nautical miles.

A small split quickly became a complete blow out leaving the crew to recover the tattered sail.

Based on her present speed race leader Black Jack is expected to exit Moreton Bay via the Caloundra Fairway Buoy by 3 pm followed by the 2008 overall race winner Quantum Racing, Wot Now, Shogun and Wot Yot.

They all will be well clear of Moreton Bay and setting a spinnaker sailing course along the Sunshine Coast when the rest of the fleet face the first run of the flood tide which will slow their progress and hamper their chances to win on overall handicap.

Race Officials are expecting the prevailing easterly wind to increase to 20 knots and provide the fleet leaders with a chance to outpace their handicap ratings over night

by Ian Grant

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Black Jack leads Gladstone fleet

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