Seawind Rally - Part 1

Saturday 19 June, Cid Harbour to Airlie Beach
Time to meet the other 19 boats participating in this year's Seawind Whitsundays Rally. Abel Point marina is host and the new facilities are much improved on those we experienced 2 years ago. It is closer to the shops for groceries and we had nice wide berths.

Tonight there was a skippers briefing followed by a meet the fleet party. Some owners have sailed their boats from home (Lake Macquarie, Brisbane, Yeppoon, Sydney) while others are using charter boats (their own or hired).

Sunday 20 June, Airlie Beach to Long Island

SE 20 - 25 knots. Gate start off Airlie than a reach to Pioneer Rocks. It was then on the wind all the way to Happy Bay. Peer Pressure had a great start and sailed well to win the race and earn the honour of wearing the "Viking horns" the first time. Well done, Len, Isla and Lee. We had a good start but went the wrong way and finished in the middle of the fleet.


Hawaiian Cocktail party followed by karaoke at the resort was great fun. The Seaquence crew of Megan and Kelly were a hit with YMCA that had everyone up on the floor and the Dream On crew again showed their unique style.

Monday 21 June, Long Island to Cid Harbour
Strong Wind Warning SE 20 - 30 knots. The forecast forced Seawing organiser Brent to move to plan C for today's sail. A beat to the planned stop at Lindeman was quickly canned, likewise South Molle Island so after a fleet vote it was settled on a quick reach across the channel to the very protected anchorage of Cid Harbour.

This race was started on the beach Le Mans style - the crew has to get out to the boat, off the mooring or anchor and get their sails up as quickly as possible. Tallisker had a great start and lead for most of the race until becalmed behind Cid Island and watched in dismay as Peer Pressure again took line honours and "the horns". Seaquence won the skippers hat for the overall rally leader at that point (helped by Next Phase support during karaoke I might add!) Print this post