Townsville's own Leon Thomas, racing his 7m sports boat Guilty Pleasures at the second Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week, yesterday took the IRC handicap win from his bigger rivals.

Under IRC, yesterday was Guilty Pleasures first race and as Leon said last evening 'where else would I have the opportunity to race boats such as Marley Wired under IRC? Its great..and we are enjoying it.'

In the windward/leeward Race 1 today for the IRC and PHS fleets, Guilty Pleasures proved yesterday's win was no fluke, finishing third on handicap behind Wayne Millar's Murray 41 Zoe and Mike Steel's Dufour Performance 34 Boudicea.

At the start of IRC Race 1, Rob Bassett's Bakewell-White 52ft Marley Wired was quick off the line, followed by Zoe.

At the top mark, Zoe had closed on Wired, but Guilty Pleasures stole the show when she came flying in from the port lay line diving around the mark ahead of Graham Donnell's Flying Tiger Feral and John Stokes Bavaria Match 38 Mach 1.

Guilty Pleasures gybed early and went right, holding third place down to the bottom mark.

Zoe closed on Wired, who dropped very early and looked to be having canting keel problems, which slowed her down considerably. However once Wired rounded the mark she had a good second beat and picked the shift nicely thereby gaining valuable time and she crossed the line seven minutes ahead of Zoe.

Guilty Pleasures stormed home fully powered with her big white spinnaker flying, to take third place on line honours. Conditions this afternoon suited the little sportsboat who remained powered up while her bigger rivals wallowed in the light conditions.

Can the 'little boat that could' steal this regatta? Time will tell.

At this early stage, Guilty Pleasures leads the second Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week IRC Division, and is on equal points with Mike Steel's Boudicea.

More to follow.

by Al Constable/Rob Kothe

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