Paul Mitchell will be a reluctant spectator when Peter Millar defends the prestigious line honours trophy in Saturday's 4MK FM Great Whitsunday Fun Race on Pioneer Bay.

Mitchell suffered a serious toe injury on Tuesday when Millars fast lane sailing cat (catamaran) Cynophobe (fear of dogs) had power sailed to an unbeatable lead in the 2008 Multihull Rendezvous Island Passage race.

They were approaching a rounding mark near Hayman Island when Paul Mitchell's small toe was almost severed in the sheet block.

Skipper Millar and sailing master David Chittleborough immediately withdrew from the race and transferred their injured crew mate to Hayman Island for urgent medical attention before he was flown by helicopter to Mackay for micro-surgery.

The skill of Paul Mitchell will be difficult to replace at short notice but Peter Millar remains confident that his new catamaran only launched two weeks ago will have the speed potential to successfully defend his title and become the first skipper in history to win four Festival Of Sails Fun race titles in a row.

'This cat is a real rocket-ship, much faster than Spud Gun' Said David Chittleborough.

Chittleborough experienced his career best rides on the spray drenched trampoline of Spud Gun and skilfully applied his boat building skills to mould the hulls of the new Cynophobe.

'Have no fear this new generation catamaran will carry on the with the Spud Gun tradition of being the fastest yacht on Pioneer Bay'. Chittleborough said.
The performance of Cynophobe will be watched with interest on Saturday when the Whitsunday Sailing Club hosts this unique Australian yacht race.

Cynophobe is the favourite however all forms of sailing craft from historical pearling luggers, to square rigged Tall ships and modern Grand Prix sloops and catamarans have plans on winning their class trophies.

by Ian Grant

Newsfeed supplied by