Please select your home edition
Edition
P&B
Product Feature
Allen 30mm Dynamic Triple Block With Becket & Cleat
Allen 30mm Dynamic Triple Block With Becket & Cleat

Ausmaid leading Port Lincoln Race

by Peter Campbell on 3 Mar 2001
CLOSE BATTLE FOR LEAD IN ADELAIDE TO PORT LINCOLN OCEAN RACE

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race winner Ausmaid early this evening was leading the fleet across the Gulf of St Vincent in the 51st Quin's Blue Water Classic ocean race from Adelaide to Port Lincoln.

Ausmaid, a Farr 47 skippered by owner Kevan Pearce, regained the lead in a freshening southerly breeze after the Farr 40 One Design, War Games, skippered by David Urry, had narrowly led the fleet around the first turning mark off Henley Pier this afternoon.

This year, for the first time, the 161 nautical mile race started from North Haven with the yachts racing along the Adelaide beaches to the mark off Henley Pier, adding a new public dimension to the event, with the pier packed with spectators.

Ausmaid quickly took the lead after the Governor of South Australia, Sir Eric Neal, fired the gun, but nearing the Henley mark the wind died away.

Third placed War Games, skippered by David Urry, picked up a light breeze to lead around the marfk from Ausmaid, Prime Example, Secret Men's Business and Alliance and the little Mumm 30, On the Edge, thus winning the inaugural Simrad Cup Henley Sprint.

Heading south and out to sea, War Games held an early lead but as the breeze freshened to between 15 and 20 knots, the powerful Ausmaid regained the lead.

The race to Port Lincoln takes the fleet on a south-westerly course from Adelaide, past Marion Reef in the Gulf of St Vincent, then through the Investigator Strait and across Spencer Gulf, waters charted so meticulously by the famous navigator Matthew Flinders around two centuries ago.

In fact, he is remembered in this race by the prestigious Matthew Flinders Team Trophy, currently held by the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia.

Yachting South Australia executive officer John Woollatt forecasts that the leading boats should reach Port Lincoln between 5am and 8am tomorrow as the breeze is expected to hold in overnight.

If Ausmaid can win on corrected time she will become only the third South Australian yacht to have won both the Sydney to Hobart and South Australia's premier offshore race, the others being Nerida and Ingrid back in the 1950s.

Ausmaid's stay at Port Lincoln will be brief, as she will return to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Sydney, her home port, for the Forrester Properties Sydney to Mooloolaba Race starting in early April.


Further information: Peter Campbell - 0419 385 028 or
email - peter_ campbell@bigpond.com

Related Articles

Biotherm has arrived in Kiel
Ahead of the Start of The Ocean Race Europe on 10th August At 1:00 am on Saturday 5 July, Biotherm came alongside in Kiel's marina, north-east Germany, following a 48-hour delivery trip across the Baltic Sea.
Posted today at 5:51 am
Transpac 2025 final starters depart LA
The largest boats with the longest waterlines already burning up the miles to Hawaii The 20 biggest, fastest boats racing in the 2025 Transpac began their offshore sprint from Los Angeles, California, to Honolulu, Hawaii, on Saturday.
Posted today at 1:05 am
Final countdown to the AEGEAN 600
60 teams assembled at Olympic Marine for Sunday's start of the AEGEAN 600 On Saturday, the 60 teams assembled at Olympic Marine for Sunday's start of the AEGEAN 600 are using their final pre-race day to make last checks on their rigging, sails, and electronic systems, provision for the days they expect to be at sea.
Posted on 5 Jul
29er Europeans at Lake Garda day 3
The fleet is now ready for the finals at Fraglia Vela Riva The 29er European Championship 2025 in Riva del Garda is already making history. With 251 teams from 29 nations, this year's edition has gathered one of the largest and most competitive fleets in class history.
Posted on 5 Jul
Team Malizia secures 4th in Course des Caps
After thrilling high-speed finale to Boulogne-sur-Mer After six days of intense racing around the British Isles, Team Malizia crossed the finish line in Boulogne-sur-Mer to secure an impressive fourth place in the Course des Caps 2025.
Posted on 5 Jul
Holcim-PRB finishes 3rd in the Course des Caps
Despite a bowsprit failure occurring just 40 nautical miles from the finish After 6 days, 4 hours, and 26 minutes of intense sailing around the British Isles, the Holcim-PRB crew crossed the finish line of the Course des Caps Boulogne-sur-Mer – Banque Populaire du Nord, completing a route as demanding as it was strategic.
Posted on 5 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 4
It's been a week of steady breeze and near-perfect conditions off the Calabrian coast It's been a week of steady breeze and near-perfect conditions off the Calabrian coast, and Gizzeria has put on a great show as host of the 2025 IKA Youth European Championships.
Posted on 5 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais day 4
All on the line Sunday as American Magic Quantum Racing seek to close out eighth world title After three spectacular races today on Cascais, Portugal's showcase high winds arena, Doug DeVos' seven times world title winners American Magic Quantum Racing lead into the final day of the 2025 Rolex TP52 Worlds with a hard earned five points buffer.
Posted on 5 Jul
MACIF Santé Prévoyance wins Course des Caps Race
An exceptional performance in terms of speed and focus throughout the race This Saturday, July 5, the IMOCA MACIF Santé Prévoyance crossed the finish line of the Cape Race in Boulogne-sur-Mer in first place. After six days at sea, the crew achieved an exceptional performance in terms of speed and focus throughout the race.
Posted on 5 Jul
Melges 24 European Series in Monfalcone day 2
The Melges 24 fleet flies on early morning Bora as Nefeli retains the lead The Bora wind made its mark on the second day of the seventh event of the 2025 Melges 24 European Sailing Series, also serving as the second stage of the 2025 Trofeo Gaudi, hosted by Yacht Club Monfalcone.
Posted on 5 Jul