Quantum Racing wins the Brisbane to Gladstone race
by Ian Grant 23 Mar 2008 06:38 GMT
Quantum Racing all class
Sydney skipper Ray Roberts added the 60 year old Courier Mail Cup to his impressive collection when he steered Quantum Racing to a resounding win in the 308 n/ml Brisbane Gladstone race.
The Quantum Racing crew excelled in a testing range of winds to outsail a very competitive fleet when she logged an average speed of 11.76 knots to win the IRC class by a commanding margin.
They were tactically smart in the light winds in Moreton Bay then capitalised with a faultless strategy over the more important 250 nautical mile open ocean sailing leg between Caloundra and Gladstone Harbour to build an unmatched speed which ultimately paved the way for their 1hour 1 minute 15 second win over the equally well sailed Brisbane sloop Wedgetail.
Ray Roberts who previously won the Courier Mail Cup in 1995 with Millennium complimented his crew on the success of Quantum Racing.
“We have sailed a lot of miles together and they are a great team which is the reason behind the success of Quantum Racing”.
“They were a little disappointed with the second place to Saltash II in 2007 and used this as the incentive to step up this year”.
“It was a great race and they (the crew) capped the experience with a special result”. Ray Roberts said.
The crew on Bill Wild’s Wedgetail also sailed a very competitive race but was forced to sail in the shadow of Quantum Racing.
“Quantum was all class, we could find no fault with our race and they were still too good” Wedgetail tactician Kevin Costin said.
Wedgetail repowered with new spinnakers fell short by almost 12 seconds per nautical mile to race on equal terms with Quantum Racing however skipper Bill Wild was happy with second place 54 minutes 50 seconds ahead of the Graeme Wood skippered Wot Yot.
Sunshine Coast yacht designer Jon Sayer added another personal triumph to his impressive career when the Murray Bucknall and Jon Sayer skippered Ryujin FGI beat the Lucas Down helmed Wasabi for the top honour in the Performance Handicap class.
Sayer designed and built both yachts and proved his class as Australias best marathon racing skipper when he combined with Murray Bucknall to win their class in the 5,500 n/ml Melbourne to Osaka race in 2007.
They were forced to apply a similar tactical attitude when the Ryujin FGI and Wasabi crews sailed almost in the same water and wind during their exciting 308 n/ml match race before Ryujin FGI sealed her class win over the equally well sailed Wasabi by a narrow 3 minute 48 second margin.
More information at www.brisbanetogladstone.com.au