Smooth sailing at Hamilton Island
Big guns blazing at the half-way markHalf way through Hamilton Island Race Week and it’s been smooth sailing for most competitors with light winds and sunny skies.
Following yesterday’s lay day, all crews should be well rested and raring to go as the competition heats up.
As of this morning (Aug 22), the IRC Racing division was being led by Marcus Blackmore’s Hooligan ahead of another TP52, Orb Hanna’s Shogun V. Third was Ernesto Bertarelli aboard Bob Oatley’s 66-foot Wild Oats X which the Italian billionaire has leased from the owner of Hamilton Island for the regatta.
For accommodation, Mr Bertarelli has brought along his 96-metre super yacht Vava II. Mr Bertarelli’s yacht boats six levels, a helicopter pad, a swimming pool which can be varied in depth to suit the individual users’ preferences and can host 22 guests in luxurious cabins as well as up to 30 crew.
In the battle of the titans, Bob Oatley’s other boat, the 100ft Wild Oats XI was leading Grant Wharrington’s Wild Thing by one point in sixth and seventh place respectively.
Although numbers for the Grand Prix divisions of the Race Week are down this year, support remains strong in the cruising divisions. Across five divisions nearly 100 boats are racing around the islands of the Whitsundays.
There are also one-design divisions racing as well as a multihull division.
Racing will conclude on August 24.
For more information and results go to: www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au
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