Corsair Seawind Australian Multihull Championships get underway

11:06 PM Sun 18 Sep 2011 GMT

'Moreton Bay' .

Australia's talented fast lane sailors competing for first race honours in the Corsair Marine/Seawind Australian Multihull championship can expect to face a supreme test of tactical racing on a surprisingly calm Moreton Bay today.

The fleet representing 24 high performance trimarans and catamarans from South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland and crewed by a number of the nation's best will be challenged with racing in light wind on an unfamiliar course that has a history of separating the smartest from the rest. All skippers and tacticians will need to be aware of when the flood tide changes to the ebb as this remains as a crucial tactical factor because of the geographical nature of the course.

Selecting the wrong option will certainly play a major role in deciding which of the 24 crews gain the important major places during the Bay Passage race later today. As expected there is a very competitive line up for the 'Gun Boat' of the regatta title headed by the super fast Victorian catamaran Mad Max skippered by former Brisbane to Gladstone line honours winner George Owen.

George Owen known as a crafty helmsman will need to have his tactical thinking totally focused on steering Mad Max to her potential to stay ahead of the former Mackay catamaran Hot Vindaloo skippered by Sunshine Coast boat builder Julian Griffiths and the consistent Lake Macquarie trimaran Trilogy helmed by the experienced Keith Glover.

This trio have been nominated as the likely pacesetters in a championship which promises to test the tactical awareness of all 25 crews in their bid to record the fastest corrected handicap.

Nominating a possible winner before the first race is always a risky prediction particularly with so many top racing crews having their sights set on being crowned as the 2011 Australian champion after the sixth and final race on Friday September 23rd.

Former champions Rob Remilton in Wilparina 11 racing under the South Australian Goolwa Yacht Club burgee and Queenslander Peter Hackett's Intrigue are favoured by officials while the Brisbane to Gladstone Race champion's Phil Day in Rhythmic and Mike Hodges Renaissance have the important knowledge of racing in light winds with and against current on a tricky Moreton Bay to be ranked among the major contenders.

Further information is available from Mike Hodges on 041188 8850 or Ian Grant 0427 592 664.

by Ian Grant

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Corsair Seawind Australian Multihull Championships get underway

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