The weather forecast was spot on for day 1 of the 2010 Queensland IRC Championship with the yachts starting in just under six knots for the first race of the day. And just to make it even more exciting, the rain stuck around for the afternoon forcing the sailors to get out their wet weather gear.

In Race 1 the lead changed several times with Stephen Lambourne’s Farr 40 Lambourdini leading the fleet until the gate marks, before Black Jack Too (Peter Harburg) edged in front. But it all changed in the final downwind leg with Wedgetail (Bill Wild), who rounded the top mark for the final time in fourth, took a flyer to the right which paid off famously.

Past Etchells World Champion Jason Muir is calling tactics onboard Lambourdini teaming up with former crew Stephen Lambourne.

‘Stephen and I were 10th in the Etchells Worlds in 2003 and it’s great to be back sailing with him again,’ continued Muir.

Unfortunately due to family long weekend commitments, the crew from Lambourdini will not be finishing the regatta giving the Farr 30 Synergy a chance.

‘It’s a bit of a shame that Lambourdini is out of the regatta now, but it’s good for us!’ said Synergy owner and skipper Alex Douglas.

‘Our thought is that the Farr 40 Bribie Star (Lucas Down) has the form to win this regatta but we will be doing all we can to stop that,’ continued Douglas.

All eyes were on Peter Harburg’s new Reichel Pugh 42 Black Jack Too that made it’s debut appearance yesterday.

During the week it was decided that Vaughan Prentice, part owner of North Sails Brisbane with Mark Bradford, would come on as skipper of the 42 footer.

‘Our first day jitters are out of the way – and there were lots of jitters!’ said Prentice.

‘We improved during every race and are looking forward to stretching our legs in today’s long race.

‘The regular Brisbane Black Jack crew is on board but we have shuffled around our positions. Ashley (Deeks) who normally does bow has come down the back, Jack (Mason) is out of the sewer and is trimming the shoots, Hutch (Darren Hutchison) is trimming the jibs and Squark (Mark Bradford) is tactics.

‘Peter (Harburg) is really getting amongst it and was busy yesterday pulling down kites,’ continued Prentice.
Bill Wild handed the helm over to Mick O’Brien who steered Wedgetail to victory in the recent Fairway Challenge and Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Races.

‘We got a great shift that pushed us in front of Ocean Affinity, Lambourdini and Black Jack Too,’ said O’Brien.

‘We finished were we should have in the other two races. Sailing in 5 knots is our weakest point so we are looking forward to more breeze today and for tomorrows change with 20 knots.

‘Like Peter Harburg, Bill is busy on board and yesterday was calling the shifts,’ continued O’Brien.

Not to be forgotten is the lowest rated boat in the fleet Scallyway, owned and skippered by Rodger Vinton.

The Sydney 32 had a tough day yesterday in the light breeze finishing 15 minutes after everyone else.

‘We still had a great day of racing,’ said Vinton. ‘Our crew work is as good as anyone’s but in reality we really need plenty of breeze to get up and go.’

The yachts will race approximately 30 nautical miles today with the race scheduled to start at 1300 hours. The conditions are much nicer with the Queensland sun shining and a perfect 12 knot northerly predicted for the afternoon.

For more information, including full results visit the Queensland IRC Championship Microsite – http://www.rqys.com.au/index.php/2010-queensland-irc-championship/

RQYS Sailing – http://sailing.rqys.com.au

The 2010 Queensland IRC Championship is hosted by Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.