Racing Cancelled for Day 5 at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

4:10 AM Wed 26 Aug 2009 GMT

'The flags come down - Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2009' Crosbie Lorimer Click Here to view large photo

For the first time in 20 years a full day's racing has been cancelled at Hamilton Island Race Week, owing to the complete absence of wind.

At just past 2pm today Race Officer Dennis Thompson pulled the pin on racing for the IRC Fleet after cancelling racing for the Cruising Divisions an hour earlier.

In 1989 the cancellation was for entirely the opposite reason; in that year Race Week was still being held in April and a major Cyclone threatened the regatta, causing the call-off for a day.

Ironically, while the clean-up continues today in the southern states after the major storms and floods, the crews here on Hamilton Island are seeking the shade on a hot windless day.

Meantime business at the bakery has slowed and slabs of beer are now making their way down Front Street on the shoulders of some very relaxed looking crew.