Budget Boat poised to win major trophy
Quantum Racing the baby 6m Sports boat improved her $14,000 dollar resale value when she firmed a strangle hold on the Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week class championship on Pioneer Bay today.
'Quantum Sails - Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week'
Ian Grant ©
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Owner Graham Sherring jokingly said 'My hand didn't shake at all when I signed the cheque she returns a lot of good quality sailing fun for a minimal outlay'.
'She may be old and small and lacks a good coat of paint but packs some punch on the race course' A happy Graham Sherring said.
Quantum Sails the cheapest, smallest and lowest handicapped in the fleet has generally outpaced Australia's best and more expensive fast lane sailing Sports Boats to lead the championship by a commanding seven points into today's championship deciding final.
She has been cleverly sailed by her crew of three winning four races in her score card of 2-1-1-1-4-2-1 to lead her more expensive rivals Bendigo Private skippered by Cam Rae from the Royal Geelong Yacht Club which holds second 11 points clear of the West Australian skipper Heath Townsend in Kaito.
'A lead of seven points looks good on paper but there is still one race to go and we will need to keep the pace on and race without any penalties '. Skipper Sherring said.
Quantum Racing crewed by Gold Coast sailing mates Graham Sherring his cousin Neil Sherring and Troy Ruston answered the challenge from their closest rival Bendigo Private when they gained a further penalty point in two interesting tactical races today.
Sydney skipper Geoff Masters steered Mako Sunglasses to an impressive win in heat six while Quantum Sails firmed her grip on the championship trophy when they won heat seven by a 1 minute 33 seconds over Bendigo Private which struggled to beat West Australian skipper Steve Battley in Northshore Simrad by three seconds.
Full results at www.airliebeachraceweek.com.au
by Ian Grant 
sunrise beach, QLD
