MEDIA RELEASE 30 August, 2025
A stunning sunny start with 15-18 knots winds marked The Strand Race at SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week, providing enthusiasts in Townsville a great opportunity to enjoy the racing while dining outdoors.
However, day two, known as Tropic Petroleum Race Day, which included a Shipwrecked and Surviving Dress Up Day, presented competitors with challenging conditions. The SeaLink Spinnaker Division 1, which started first, managed to avoid the worst of the weather, but others faced difficulties. Some boats took over five hours to finish, while others retired due to the fading breeze.
Division 2 winner Robert Davis, sailing Treasure VIII from the Whitsundays, shared that they had a good start but struggled after rounding The Strand mark. “We set a kite, but we were running too square and then we went to a wrong mark which cost us a lot of time. The wind faded to around 4 knots and at times it was 1 knot,” Davis explained. Ultimately, Treasure VIII managed to beat current series leader Grant Chipperfield’s Joker X2 by nearly three minutes.
In Division 4, Rod Wills’ X43, Great Xpectations (NSW), secured a second victory, overcoming mixed conditions on the Cleveland Bay course. Wills noted the challenges in sail planning as the breeze died out but was pleased with their ability to keep moving.
Due to an error in Division 1 scoring from the previous day, Daguet, owned by Rob Aldis and Peter Byford (NSW), was declared the winner over Seeking Alpha (David Hamilton) and The Goat, who both received revised placements after originally being shown as joint winners.
Mitchell Gordon’s Sydney 38, The Goat, won Division 1 to take an early series lead, followed by Ken Christensen’s Hick 39, BKT JAMHU and David Currie’s Farr 40, Ponyo from Victoria in second and third place respectively.
Onboard Tony and Selena Muller’s Brava (Qld), SeaLink North Queensland General Manager, Darren Spearman, enjoyed the sailing experience despite being out longer than expected. The day concluded at Peppers Race Headquarters with a lively prize presentation hosted by Scotty Hillier.
Tomorrow features a lay day with the Townsville Airport Island Breeze Festival at Picnic Bay, starting from 9 am. Activities include artisan markets, food stalls, performances, inflatable races, and crab races to benefit the MI Koala Hospital.
Racing resumes on Monday from 11 am.
SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week is supported by Townsville City Council through Townsville Enterprise.
For full results in all divisions, please visit: www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au
By Di Pearson/SMIRW media
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