Three time winner Quest returning to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

5:23 AM Tue 28 Apr 2009 GMT

'Audi Hamilton Island Race Week' Jack Atley&copy

Bob Steel, winner of the 2008 Sydney Hobart race and three-time winner of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, always planned to be at the island for the big event in August this year, but now that plan has become a little bit easier.

At the weekend he sailed his TP52, Quest, to a perfect score of four wins in the NSW IRC Championship at the Sail Port Stephens Regatta. As well as claiming the championship trophy he left the regatta with an additional prize - free entry into Race Week, which will be staged from August 22 to 29.

'Race Week is a fabulous regatta, and we were always planning to have Quest back there this year. Now I'm worried that people will think I'm a cheap-skate and only turning up this time because I got a free entry,' Steel said with a laugh. 'Make sure everyone knows that's not the case.'

Steel said that apart from the great sailing to be enjoyed at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, he is looking forward to being there this year for a hit-out at the stunning new Hamilton Island Golf Club, and to be present for the official opening of Hamilton Island Yacht Club.

'I'm particularly looking forward to having a crack at the golf course,' he said. 'From what I have already seen of the development it's going to be a very special course - unique in many ways. It looks exciting.'

This year Steel will be trying his hardest to secure his fourth Race Week title in the Grand Prix IRC division. Quest was in the hunt for overall top honours last year, but her run ended when the keel clipped the edge of the appropriately named Surprise Rock during a passage race around some of the magnificent uninhabited islands in the tropical Whitsunday Group.

Today Steel lives every moment of his stellar offshore racing career with added gusto, and it's for a good reason. Four years ago he went very close to dying from a severe case of septicaemia, which had come as a consequence of a prostate cancer operation. Showing incredible determination to survive he battled his way back to health, returned to ocean racing then last December became only the ninth yachtsman in the 64-year history of the Hobart race to become a dual winner on handicap.

Now he'd like to see another Audi Hamilton Island Race Week championship trophy in his trophy cabinet to sit alongside his two Hobart race and three Race Week awards.

Race Week is Australia's most awarded keelboat regatta and biggest offshore classic. In 2008 it attracted a record fleet of 225 for its 25th anniversary event.

The entry list for this year's Audi Hamilton Island Race Week continues to grow at an impressive rate. All details can be obtained from the website - www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au

by Rob Mundle

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Three time winner Quest returning to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

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