Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week Day 4: Perfect day for Round the Island Race

by Di Pearson/SMIRW media 3 Sep 2024 08:22 UTC 29 August - 4 September 2024

Zen (NSW) has taken the overall lead of Spinnaker Division 1 on Day 4 at SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week (SMIRW) 2024, in The Yacht Sales Co. Race Day Round the Island Race, in what has been an exceptionally close series with the overall lead changing after each race.

This was 'Zen' master Gordon Ketelbey's second win in as many days with his TP52. "It was quite a lot windier than the previous days. We were hoping to get a bit more but it was enough. It was a very pleasant day's sailing, but a bit bumpy towards the end as we worked up to the finish.

"Hopefully tomorrow will happen," Ketelbey said, referring to the final race that will conclude Townsville Yacht Club's 17th edition of SMIRW. This comment follows on from Principal Race Officer Denis Thompson's advice that the wind could be as much as 25-30 knots and that could create an unpleasant seaway. Thompson will make a call to race - or not - in the morning.

Greg Tobin's Sydney 38, 38 (Qld) made her mark today with second place from Zen and in front of the Rob Reynolds chartered Farr 40, Bobby's Girl.

Brett and Jacinta Cooper's Hanse 54, Katana (Tas), was top scorer in Division 2 from Matt Doyle's La Troisieme Mitemps and Graeme Amey's Yknot. The latter two NSW boats are currently top two respectively in the division on equal points.

"The weather was finally right for us - it got up to 18 knots - but mainly 15 knots. A beautiful day for the Round the Island Race. The boat (Katana) is heavy and she likes this kind of breeze. We're happy with today - finally up to fourth overall," Jacinta said, adding that Katana is for sale.

"We've just bought an MC38, Game On 2 from South Australia, so we're selling the Hanse 54," Jacinta revealed. The Tasmanian couple has owned a wide range of boats from a Melges 32, a Beneteau 57, The Hanse and an SB20!

Division 3 went to Andrew Mitchell's Fahrenheit, a modified Farr 11.6 representing the event's host club. Chris Morgan's La Quinta, current leader of the pointscore, was second. La Quinta also won the best dressed crew on Saturday, looking resplendent in pineapple shirts and hats, so they are on a roll.

"I had a crew of six, had a good start, a good upwind, good downwind and fast second upwind, where we overtook a few. We got up to about 18 knots on the course, it was good," Mitchell shared.

"Amaya and Brava were the two boats that we had good competition with. We overtook Brava (Tony and Selena Muller's Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 from the host club also) on the last leg. It was a little rough coming back, around a metre swell, but not too bad. The upwind really suits us. The crew is happy - including the owner/skipper," Mitchell said.

"We're prepared to race tomorrow, but we'll have to wait and see what the weather and race management decide," he ended.

Lindsay Powell's Fandango had the goods in Division 4, the Victorian's best result by far. He pipped Gary Donnellan's Matilda V (Qld), by just over a minute. Both boats are Beneteau Oceanis 411's, so that's what you call good handicapping and good racing.

"We are feeling terrific. We've been playing 'We are the Champions', 'Scaramouche' and 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' (the first line says: 'We skipped the light fandango) - loudly," an excited Fandango owner said.

"We are ecstatic. It's been a long journey to get here (from Geelong), but we knew it was going to be worth it, because it's such an excellent event. This is the third time we've been here, but usually we race with John Kint (on Bundaberg). We just love this regatta," Powell said.

"We are absolutely delighted, as our friends came up and jumped on board the boat and we also discovered there was another Beneteau Oceanis here, the same as ours (Matilda V) and they are such nice people. It was a lovely race and we enjoyed every minute," Powell ended.

Ashore this morning I caught up with Lyndy Sawbridge, co-owner and skipper of the Bavaria 38, Helena May, with her husband Chris. You would normally find the pair out racing at SMIRW, which they have won before, but not this year. The handy duo decided on another tack, pardon the pun!

The Sawbridges are giving back by joining the volunteers in Denis Thompson's race management team - their first stint in this role.

"I'm really enjoying it. It's very educational," said Lyndy, a member of Townsville Yacht Club. "I've got a new appreciation for the amount of work it takes to run a regatta - and they've put me on the protest committee as well. I sit and critique everyone's mistakes now," she said, laughing.

"Seriously, it's been really good. I hope it inspires a few other people to take it on. We've had quite few thankyous from different competitors, both on the water and ashore. It's nice to be appreciated," she said before heading out on the water with the rest of the start crew after the morning's briefing session.

Racing concludes tomorrow, followed by Peppers Race Day Presentation Night.

For all information including full results please visit www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au

Related Articles

Fishing: Patterning brown bass
Post-spawn through summer smallies Whitewater Fishing B.A.S.S. tournament pro, Alex Redwine, talks fishing the transition period Posted on 26 Jun
2025 Bahamas Fly-fishing Tournament Series
Anglers to compete across some of The Bahamas' top bonefishing spots The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation announced the launch of Bonefishing Tournament Series that will showcase diverse pristine flats across four islands - Grand Bahama, Andros, Eleuthera and the championship round will be held in Exuma Posted on 20 Jun
Mote leads seagrass restoration initiative
Florida legislature establishes the Seagrass Restoration Technology Development Initiative Seagrasses play a crucial role in the health and resilience of Florida's coastal ecosystems. They provide nursery habitats for keystone species and stabilize shorelines and sediments. Posted on 20 Jun
Maritimo M50 Flybridge & S60 Sedan Video
We speak to Maritimo's Neil McCabe & Phil Candler We talked to Neil McCabe, Maritimo's Design Office Manager, and Phil Candler, Maritimo's General Manager Operations, to find out more about the M50 Flybridge and S60 Sedan during the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Posted on 17 Jun
“I'm living my dad's dream”
Carl made sure to provide young Kyle the chance to be a seasoned pond hopper Carl Cortiana is about to turn 70, but he still remembers the days four decades ago when he'd cast a practice plug across the living room floor and his toddler son, Kyle, now a highly accomplished Vexus pro on the MLF Toyota Series. Posted on 14 Jun
Stories From The Salt - Ep.6
Insights from PENN's top anglers Whether you're a passionate saltwater angler who eagerly dedicates every spare moment to being out on the water, or you simply enjoy watching the techniques and experiences of others, we invite you to anchor up and learn some valuable insights Posted on 14 Jun
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Six
Episode Six is now live - Are boat shows still relevant? Episode Six - asks the question, 'Are boat shows still Relevant?' We also offer some thoughts on changes and updates. The final episode of Series One is now live Posted on 13 Jun
Scania, Viking showcase renewable diesel
Mack Attack shows outstanding efficiency without compromise in performance of Scania V8 Engines Scania, one of the world's leading manufacturers of engines, announced today the successful demonstration of the performance and viability of renewable marine diesel fuel in a Viking 48 Convertible powered by twin Scania 1,150 HP DI16-liter V8 engines. Posted on 10 Jun
Sportfishing industry applauds decision by NOAA
Elimination of proposed South Atlantic bottomfishing closure The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries withdrew the proposed bottomfishing closure from Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic. Posted on 10 Jun
Marine Auctions: June online auctions
Bidding to open on Friday 20th June The Bidding for the June Online Auction will commence on Thursday 20th June and will end on Thursday 26th June at 2pm AEST. Posted on 7 Jun
Maritimo S SeriesPalm Beach Motor Yachts