A strong wind warning controlled by a west moving trough in the Southern Coral sea continued to promote a boisterous breeze which whistled through the rigging of the 193 yachts moored in the Hamilton Island marina overnight.
Thankfully the impressive Audi Hamilton Island Race Week fleet comprising high profile ocean racing crews will take time away from battling against the boisterous breeze and angry hull testing seas during the regatta lay day today.
Unfortunately total rest and relaxation will be out of the question with the crews facing a busy workload to make sure their yachts are ship shape for the return to the important class championship racing on Thursday.
The list of damage inflicted on the fleet during the fresh and frightening winds yesterday was extensive while those who avoided being forced to retire experienced career best spinnaker sailing speed on the wind and wave tormented waters of the Whitsunday Passage.
However the drama packed day highlighted by extensive damage to the new $80,000 dollar mainsail on the defending champion Loki to bent booms, broken masts and shattered carbon-fibre spinnaker poles has placed a huge demand on sail makers, riggers and the Hamilton Island maintenance workshop.
Meanwhile the Mark Richards skippered Rolex Sydney Hobart Race record holder Wild Oats X1 again expressed exciting speed to retain a strangle hold on the Gun Boat of the regatta trophy following her line honours win in the 63 n/ml Double Cone Island passage race yesterday.
The Wild Oats X1 crew logged speeds in excess of 20 knots completing the race with another high speed average of 13.3 knots to complete another supreme teat of heavy wind sailing during their win over Sydney rivals Investic Loyal and Lahana.
The unfortunate sail damage to Loki released some pressure on the crew of the Marcus Blackmore skippered Hooligan which powered sailed to another impressive corrected handicap win to form a stronger grip on the prestigious Audi Hamilton Island Race Week Grand Prix class trophy.