Showdown at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week
'Black Jack'
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Bob Oatley's triple Rolex Sydney Hobart line honours winning crew are expected to face a serious test of match racing skill when they defend their Audi Hamilton Island Race Week trophy from August 22-30.
History will be made in the 25th Anniversary year of racing in the warm Whitsunday Islands when the almost identical Mark Richards skippered Wild Oats X racing under the New South Wales Battle Flag and the Peter Harburg owned and Mark Bradford helmed Queensland yacht Black Jack enter into what promises to be a State of Origin war on the water for the prestigious title.
The collective big boat experience and the advantage of sailing numerous soul-searching ocean racing miles including winning the 628 n/ml Rolex Sydney Hobart in record time presently favours Bob Oatley's high performance blue water racing combination.
However the Black Jack crew who have several 2007 Americas Cup sailors including principal helmsman Mark Bradford in her racing team will place their challenge on notice when both of the 20.12m yachts enter into the 'Grudge Match' for the Audi line honours trophy off Hamilton Island on Saturday August 22.
Black Jack a slightly more modern version of her sister design Wild Oats X was officially christened by former triple World Grand Prix motor racing champion Sir Jack Brabham, O.B.E at Brisbane's Rivergate Marina last Saturday morning.
The impressive Black Jack will face her first serious test against Wild Oats X in the 384n/ml Audi Sydney to Gold Coast race later this month where both impressively fast yachts are expected to challenge the 27 hour 35 minute 3 second record set by George Snow's Brindabella in 1993.
Skipper Mark Bradford has enormous respect for the Wild Oats X crew and
concedes the Black Jack crew will be in catch up mode.
'We are not in the position to make any rash promises however that will change with time and hard racing experience' he said.
by Ian Grant 
PALMYRA, WA
