Race Week Sailors welcome lay day
'Quantum Racing. Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2008'
Andrea Francolini / Audi © Click Here to view large photo
Hamilton Island marina was a scene of tranquil calm this morning as the record fleet prepared for a welcome rest day from class racing in the International Audi Hamilton Island Race Week series.
Racing on the opening three days proved to be a torture test when the fleet was bumped and bashed by moderate to fresh trade winds and white crested waves which inflicted an expensive list sail and rigging damage.
Local Whitsunday sail makers have been 'burning the midnight oil' over the past three nights repairing shredded spinnakers while the sailing masters have endured a similar heavy workload making sure the yachts are ship shape and ready to race.
Fortunately the flesh and fabric testing trade winds have also decided to take a rest with a peak gust of 21 knots recorded overnight while the breeze softened further to 15 knots by sunrise this morning presenting a warm but cloudy day.
However the crews will still enjoy the opportunity to take time out after they complete the check list in preparation for the important races on Wednesday.
The crew of IRC Grand Prix class leader Quantum Racing have planned to meet on deck this morning to complete a maintenance check before enjoying a relaxing lunch.
Owner skipper Ray Roberts and his World championship winning tactician Steve McConaghy have dominated Australian offshore racing since finishing third in the Rolex Sydney Hobart classic in late December.
They won the 60th Anniversary Brisbane to Gladstone Race in late March followed by an impressive victory in the Audi Sydney to Gold Coast race in July and the Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week earlier this month.
These impressive results and a progressive score 3-5-4-1 suggests the talented Quantum Racing crew will become the target of tactical attention from the Victorian yachts Cougar (Alan Whiteley) and Michael Hiatt's Living Doll when the championship racing continues on the course south of Hamilton Island tomorrow.
by Ian Grant 
Thirroul, NSW
