Day 2 of the Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week is underway after the race committee postponed the scheduled start in order to allow the winds to stabilise.

The Cruising Divions started today's 15.1 nautical mile race to White Rock in 12 knots of building breeze.

Dick Cerny's Aussie Rules started well on the pin, with Gary McCarthy's White Pearl above her. Farrago (Paddy McCutcheon) and Storm 2 (Don Algie) started midline.

Ngak Ngak helmed by Michelle Petrie, the only woman skipper in the fleet, gained speed as she approached the line and came up through the fleet on the outside.

White Pearl, who had a good start, lead the fleet as the headed up the Magnetic Island Coastline. Storm 2, higging the coastline, was rapidly gaining ground on the leader, however Holy Cow (John and Kim Clinton) tacked out further into the channel looking for the stronger breeze. Time will tell if this tactic has paid off.

At the time of this report, the IRC and PHS fleets who are racing windward/leewards out on Cleveland Bay were being held in postponment, the tricky breeze causing the race officials to re-lay their course.

A start for these divisions had been signalled at the time of this report.

More to follow.

by Al Constable

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