Vikings sail into history at Magnetic Island

7:34 AM Tue 8 Sep 2009 GMT

'Black Rose - photo Rosemary Merrington' Sail-World.com /AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week 2009 finished today. Last year Townsville sailor Rod Hart and crew were pirates. More laughing than sailing on his big, slow antique 25 tonne steel ketch. This year they were Vikings.

Last year they did not finish a single race, but today with a solid 12-16 knot breeze, they sailed into history, finishing the full 13 nautical mile Bay Race, finishing at 15:29:35, sailing the course in just over four hours.

The Nelly Bay Marina dockside echoed with cheered as the Vikings came ashore

The Viking crew of The Black Rose - Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week Day 4 - Sail-World.com -AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

Brandished his axe, the all conquering skipper was plainly moved by the welcome. Rod Hart smiled 'We do this for fun. It's just a wonderful regatta. Pre-regatta our target was to cross the start line at least three times, but to actually finish a race is just about unbelievable '

Regatta organiser Julie Johnson from Sunferries 'We are thrilled with the success of this event both onshore and offshore. The feedback we've been getting from the competitors indicates this event is destined for big things.
'This year we had a record 49 boats and indications are that we could see 75 boats in 2010'

Regatta Director Denis Thompson - 'Great to the Viking boat preserving. Today we had the best breeze of the regatta, every enjoyed the postcard tropical sailing conditions.'

by Rob Kothe