Dent to Dunk Centenary Race and Rally

10:14 AM Tue 28 Apr 2009 GMT

'Start of the 2005 Dent to Dunk Race' John Graham

Way back in 1909, 100 years ago last February 20th, a race was sailed from Dent Island in the Whitsundays, to Dunk Island, about 220 NM further north. Little is known of the event. The number of starters is unknown, but the winner was Bert Dunstone, skipper of the gaff rigged cutter Pilot from Townsville who was presented with a silver coffee pot donated by Robert Hayles of Townsville. In 2004, Kevan Johnstone discovered a non-descript trophy in the Townsville Museum that was in fact the trophy presented to Bert Dunstone for winning the 1909 Dent to Dunk race.

In April 2005, Abel Point Yacht Club staged the race again, this time with 19 starters. The Race has become an annual event, along with the Dent to Dunk Rally, a nine day, anchor each night, party, visiting some of the best parts of the Queensland coast and islands, on the protected waters inside the Great Barrier Reef.

Dent to Dunk fleet in Whitsunday Passage - John Graham

On June 13th the Dent to Dunk Rally will start off Airlie Beach on what has become a popular nine day, 'Cruise in Company' up the coast to Dunk Island, and then return 20 NM back to Keith Williams' Port Hinchinbrook for further 'frivolities' and a Presentation on 23rd June. Entries are expected to exceed 50 this year, many from the southern states, notably Victorians escaping the winter.

A week after the Rally start, the Dent to Dunk Centenary Race will start in Dent Passage, at 1030 on 20th June and race up to Dunk Island, around it and on to the finish off Port Hinchinbrook. The yachts will have enjoyed a Welcome function on Hamilton Island the previous night, as well as subsidized berths in the marina. The fleet will include Leo Rodriguez's & Ian Bishop's Merit, winner of the PHF division in the 2008 Sydney Hobart after rescuing the crew of the unlucky Georgia.

The current record for fastest time is held by Peter Millar's catamaran Spudgun who sailed the 240 NM course in 2007, in a time of 22 hours 45 minutes, aided by strong SE trade winds. Millar is hoping to better that time in his new cat Cynaphobe having just competed in the Brisbane to Gladstone race.

event logo - John Graham

There are divisions for Monohulls and Multihulls with a $1000 cash prize going to the handicap winner of the division with the most entries. All crews & skippers of both the Race & Rally are also eligible to win a five day Bareboat charter generously donated by Sunsail. Numerous other prizes are on offer. So many that it's almost a case of 'Everyone's a Winner'. Presentation for both events is at Port Hinchinbrook at midday on 23rd June.

For more information, go to the Abel Point Yacht Club website at .... www.apyc.yachting.org.au

by John Graham