Melges 32 fleet hits Hamilton Island for Asia Pacific Gold series

5:27 AM Mon 22 Aug 2011 GMT

'Melges 32 Hamilton Island 2011 prestart - Melges 32 Hamilton Island Series 2011' Tracey Walters Click Here to view large photo

Melges 32 Asia Pacific Gold series update from Hamilton Island Race Week.

Steve Girtis 'Funnel Web'leads the pack by two points to Gus Reid 'Max Star'then Noel Liegh-Smith's 'Desperado'.

The racing in this One Design class was close with boats flying down wind next to each other at speeds of 20 knots, which made the bottom mark approaches very exciting with the huge spinnakers being bundled into the bow in record times.

Desperado followed the fleet around in race one until the last run where they sailed the perfect run planeing all the way to a win.

Steve O'Rourke 'Panther' picked up his boat last week and had his first sail of the boat on his way to the start line. Sailing with his old skiff crew from Cronulla Sailing Club the boys had smiles from ear to when they hit the dock with sailing master Dave 'Magoo' Mckay likeing the class to the his old skiffs days.

Anthony Pasmore another Sailing 'Planit' had flashes of brilliance before planting the bow into a big wave and spinning out a few times. His son Dylan soaked up most of the water before the guys at the back got wet .... thanks Dylan!

With four races completed and 25-30 knots predicted for the next couple of days it looks like the light jibs wont be needed.

BRAINS TRUST ABOARD PLANIT MELGES 32 - Melges 32 Hamilton Island Series 2011 - Tracey Walters Click Here to view large photo

TIGHT RACING IN THE MELGES 32 AUSTRALIAN FLEET - Melges 32 Hamilton Island Series 2011 - Tracey Walters Click Here to view large photo

Melges 32 Fleet -Steve Girdis Funnel Web - Hamilton Island 2011 - Melges 32 Hamilton Island Series 2011 - Tracey Walters Click Here to view large photo

Mel;ges 32 'Planit' leading the fleet at Hamilton Island Race Week - Melges 32 Hamilton Island Series 2011 - Tracey Walters Click Here to view large photo

by Heath Walters