An ominous trough in the southern Coral Sea has continued to bend boisterous wind and rough seas into the Whitsunday Islands as it continued to track a course towards the Queensland coast overnight.
A peak gust of 41 knots recoded at the Hamilton Island Airport at 10 pm gave an early indication for the 193 crews that they would again face a supreme test of racing in boisterous wind and sea conditions when they line up for class racing in the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week later today.
Following a physically tough day of racing yesterday when the South East trade wind peaked 31 knots and continued to torture the sea surface with a constant velocity of 25 knots the crews apart from those known as the heavy wind specialists were hoping to race in a more placid breeze.
Unfortunately those who face a fear factor will have no place to hide as the strong wind warning issued for coastal waters from the Lockhart River to Point Danger remains poised to provide the high standard Audi Hamilton Island Race Week fleet with another endurance test of racing in a 25-30 knot trade wind and rough seas.
Baring the threat of sail damage and the threat of being slammed into an uncontrolled wild wipe-out broach every crew-member manning the deck of the super maxi Wild Oats X1 to the small J24 Innamincka can expect to face another endurance test.
Naturally the crews of the Mark Richards skippered Rolex Sydney Hobart Race record holder Wild Oats X1 and the defending Audi Australian IRC champion Loki who power sailed to impressive wins yesterday remain as the likely pacesetters in sailing conditions that have the potential to sort the best from the rest.
Interest today will remain focused on the intense tactical struggle for the prestigious Grand Prix IRC championship between the provisional leader Marcus Blackmore’s speed sailing TP 52 Hooligan and the improving Reichel-Pugh 63 Loki with Loki expected to close the gap following the impressive wins they recorded in the last two heavy wind races