Another nice breezy day at Jeanneau Yachts presented by Mooloolaba Yacht Brokers and 74 Islands Airlie Beach Race Week (ABRW) 2026 featured a mix of overcast and sunny skies with winds reaching over 20 knots, putting crews through their paces and resulting in a mix of new and repeat winners.
A south/south-easterly breeze propelled the fleet southward, with the wind shifting left as the day progressed. In the Performance Racing division, Smooth Criminal, helmed by Iyas Shaheen’s RP36, triumphed over Tim McCall’s Barracuda. George Kompolthy’s Mr Mojo rounded out the top three.
Shaheen noted, “It was a beautiful day, bit breezy for us upwind, so we had to put a reef in, then pulled it out for the downwind. Good sailing though, challenging conditions, a great day out.”
In the Multihull Division 0, Paul Mitchell’s Ullman Sails made a strong comeback, narrowly defeating Joel Berg’s Hooligan by 32 seconds. Both Extreme 40s are closely matched, finishing on equal points, setting up an intriguing competition for the upcoming races.
In Multihull Division 1, Guy Chester’s Crowther 40 trimaran, Oceans Tribute, shone, with Steven Humphris’ Stealth Mode finishing just behind. Race 1 winner, Cut Snake, maintained a strong position in third place.
Chester, who has spent significant time racing overseas, expressed satisfaction with the day: “We like that sort of pressure, 17-22 knots, lots of reaching, a good course. Good trimming in gusty conditions kept the boat moving.”
The Grainger 075 G’Nome, owned by Terry Archer, secured first place today, putting her in a tie on points with Peter Hackett’s Intrigue. Archer remarked on their challenging start against larger multis but managed to gain ground with strategic sailing.
Reigning champion Ray Roberts and his Botin 40, Team Hollywood, continued his winning streak in IRC Rating Division 1. Despite a mishap at home leading to injuries, Roberts showcased resilience and enthusiasm for the day’s racing conditions.
In unfortunate news, Hughie Lewis’s Hartbreaker hit a reef off Daydream Island, forcing a retirement after a promising third place the previous day. Lewis expressed hope for minimal damage as he awaited the tide to return to port.
The Principal Race Officer, Kevin Wilson, indicated today’s race would be more tactical than the previous day, with divisions starting at different times on courses of varying lengths. VX One competition commenced today, alongside the Off-The-Beach Multihull class racing three windward/leeward races.
As the week progresses, forecasts suggest lighter winds, but racing will continue tomorrow from Pioneer Bay at 10 am, allowing competitors to make the most of the conditions. Evening events included a tasting bar and entertainment, fostering a vibrant atmosphere for participants.
For all information, including entries, head to: http://www.abrw.com.au
Di Pearson/ABRW media
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