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Strong trade winds delivered another demanding day on the water for more than 1,200 sailors at Hamilton Island Race Week, with several divisions tightening into contests decided by seconds or handfuls of points.
In Multihull Racing, Miyu secured victory on both EHC and OMR handicaps to move into the overall lead. Skipper Robinson said the fresh conditions suited the boat, which tracked well through the strong breeze. The team has come a long way since coming here last year very underprepared, with a couple of regattas and three ocean races this year delivering markedly better preparation.
Hamilton Island Blue has developed into a two-boat duel. Wild Thing claimed line honours and handicap victory on day two, with Walter Carpenter's Caol Ila just 25 seconds behind on corrected time. The pair are now tied at the top of the overall standings.
The TP52s continue to dominate Division One. Mark Spring's Highly Sprung and Lee Hawksley's Gusto sit at the top on IRC and the class-specific TPR ratings. Highly Sprung recovered from a poor start to seize the IRC Rating Division 1 win on day one and remains in contention at the front of the fleet.
In Super40 Plus, Greg Watson's Touche42 from Southport Yacht Club leads on SFR, while Hamilton Island Race Week stalwart Ray Roberts' Team Hollywood has opened with two perfect IRC wins. Tactician David Chapman said conservative sail selection proved crucial as conditions shifted through the race. The team carried a J4 to the top mark before capitalising when FOMO destroyed a spinnaker and the breeze built to 22 knots through the passage at the finish.
Bruce McCracken's Ikon has established itself as the boat to beat in Rating Division Two, sitting clear at the top.
The fleet's largest division, Hamilton Island Orange with 20 competitors, has emerged as one of the most hotly contested. Just two points separate the top five boats after two days of racing.
Racing continues with the Nautilus Marine Classic races, with all fleets starting from Dent Passage.
