Grand Prix Rivals set to clash in Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach series

7:05 PM Mon 13 Jul 2009 GMT

'Quantum Racing - Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week 2008' Sail-World.com /AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

Victorian Michael Hiatt and champion New South Wales skipper Ray Roberts are poised to stage another State against State tactical dogfight for the prestigious 2009 Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week title from August 14-20.

Ray Roberts has changed the name of his 2008 champion Quantum Racing to Evolution Racing while Michael Hiatt who was beaten on count back by Roberts last year is returning to race with an impressive new Living Doll.

The Bruce Farr designed sloop has a 1.53 metre waterline length advantage over the Ray Roberts helmed Evolution Racing and made an impressive debut to offshore racing with her maiden regatta win at the 2009 Skandia Geelong Race Week in late January.

Meanwhile the highly talented combination of skipper Ray Roberts, tactician Steve McConaghy and navigator Richard Hudson have continued to show their class with an outstanding win in the Brisbane to Gladstone Race over Easter.

As expected Ray Roberts who has dominated the results in shorter Australian coastal passage races including the line and corrected handicap double in the 2008 Audi Sydney to Gold Coast race was thrilled to win the 61 year old Courier-Mail Cup.

'Every owner takes pride from winning and I'm no different'. A proud Ray Roberts said when he acknowledged the crew effort which contributed to his third overall win in the Queensland blue water classic.

He voiced a similar comment on the dock at Abel Point Marina last August when Quantum Racing came from behind to snatch the title from Michael Hiatt's former Living Doll.

Only time and the results from six demanding tactical races over some of the best island passage race courses on the Australian offshore circuit will decide if the 2009 Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week IRC championship trophy will be displayed in the trophy room at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia or the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria.

by Ian Grant

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Grand Prix Rivals set to clash in Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach series

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