Overdrive has runaway class win in Queensland Yacht Charters series

4:24 AM Mon 2 Mar 2009 GMT

'Brandy Creek Ferry' Multihull Rendezvous

The typical February weather pattern influenced by the tropical Monsoon provided Rupert King with a test of character when he helmed Overdrive to a runaway class win in the Queensland Yacht Charters series.

It is always difficult to seek an escape route from the warm temperature and the rain however the Overdrive crew found some relief away from the humidity on shore in the short course racing over the Whitsunday Sailing Club courses on Pioneer Bay.

Sure both the air and water temperatures were rather warm and so were the Overdrive crew who slipped into top gear finishing the four race trophy series with an impressive 1-1-2-3 score and a comfortable seven point victory over Doctors Orders with Sirocco another seven points off the pace.

The Overdrive combination were well in command after winning the opening two races leaving Doctors Orders (9pts), Rum Raider (10pts), Sirocco (11pts), Full Monty (12pts) and Brandy Creek Ferry (13pts) to weather the wind factor and produce the faster handicap rated speed to decide the minor places.

Doctors Orders forced to carry a seven point penalty for failing to contest race 2 firmed a strong grip on second in the series when she finished third in race 3 before proving her consistent all angle boat speed with second in the final behind Bob Thompson's Sirocco.

Skipper Thompson and the Sirocco showed they had a good feel and understanding of the prevailing breeze by mastering the variable velocity and direction changes in the relatively soft 8-11 knot trade wind to eventually hand their rivals a sailing lesson with a 2 minute 32 second win while Doctors Orders proved the value of another consistently sailed race with her faster 1.44 seconds per minute corrected time to force Overdrive into third.

The win was a timely reward for the Sirocco combination allowing them to finish third overall on count back over the Leo Rodregius steered Full Monty.

However while winners can afford to be grinners with Overdrive proving she was the star performer to win the Queensland Yacht Charters trophy by a commanding seven place margin the pressure will be on them to hold the 'bragging rites' when they enter the tactical 'bull ring' to decide this month's Hog's Breath Trophy champion.

March will also be a busy month for the dinghy sailing fleet with skippers and crews evaluating their speed and tactical strategy to be race prepared for the popular Easter regatta to be decided off Airlie Beach on April 11-12.

The two day multiclass regatta which attracts entries from catamaran and monohull sailors representing Brisbane, Yeppoon, Mackay, Townsville and Port Douglas clubs will also host the Queensland Tasar dinghy championship.

Queensland and Australian Tasar Class officials are favouring the Whitsunday Sailing Club to host the 2010 Australian championship and the decision is expected to be announced during the 2009 Queensland championship presentation ceremony.

Sailing in the Whitsundays has a special WOW (wind on water) factor and this combined with the friendly Whitsunday Sailing Club hospitality allows the venue to be the first choice for the 2010 Tasar Nationals.

by Ian Grant

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Overdrive has runaway class win in Queensland Yacht Charters series

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