Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2014 - the first few days

On Saturday 16 August, our initial crew of nine arrived at Hamilton Island For Race Week to rainy miserable conditions concerned about how the week would start.  After lots of work to get the boat ready, the sun decided to peak out for our afternoon sail to test everything was working. After a great run down Dent Passage we were ready for racing. Luckily, despite significant flight issues and several missed landings, our tenth man arrived by ferry.

On Sunday, we were off. Well drifting really. With very light and very variable breezes we went off towards Lindeman Island. On a shortened course it wasn't our best day in the water but it didn't stop lots of fun and lots of laughs.

Monday bought the arrivals of new crew and best of all whales. The newly named 'breach bay' was off Henning Island and the crew on the rail were delighted by the show put on by a mother and calf. There are also some rumours we were mentioned in some of the evening news bulletins.  We also had a great sail finishing sixth on handicap.

Tuesday morning and there was more sunshine and the promise of a little more breeze. We got a great start down Dent Passage and a fantastic run with the kite up. We almost missed our mark but came out in second for the run up past Qualia. We had a great battle with Zoe (again) and finished on her tail to be second over the line and third on handicap.

www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au