The start to SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week nearly wasn’t, as Principal Race Officer Denis Thompson flew the AP flag ashore because the breeze was too light on for racing this morning, but no matter, with the start line a five minute motor from Peppers Race Headquarters, it left crews and friends – old and new – a little time to catch up.
Thompson called for the AP to be lowered at 11.30am, but raised it again on the water for a short time before under a blue sky on a sunny summer-like day, racing got underway in Townsville Yacht Club’s 18th running of their signature event. 
It was a nice way to start, giving participants, particularly the newcomers, time to ease into the first day of racing.
A newcomer to the Aussie scene, David Hamilton (NSW) has stirred the pot early in SeaLink Spinnaker Class Division 1, sailing his Farr 40, Seeking Alpha into first place, alongside Mitchell Gordon’s Sydney 38, The Goat (NSW). The pair finished with exactly the same corrected time. Hughie Lewis (Tas) placed third with his recent purchase, Hartbreaker, a Reichel/Pugh 46.
Hamilton only returned to Australia in recent times and is already making an impression on the sailing scene, finishing third at the Sydney Harbour Regatta in March before winning at the SailFest Newcastle Regatta, Sail Port Stephens and winning Rating Division 2 at Hamilton Island Race Week.
“It’s been absolutely fantastic. I couldn’t be happier with our results and today,” commented Hamilton, who grew up on Sydney Harbour, “where my father was in Navy.
My wife Theresa and I moved to Singapore in 1998 and I did a lot of sailing in South-East Asia. We then moved to the US, raced there, came back to Asia and raced again. Then we moved to Europe and sailed on the lakes, mainly one design boats.
“After 28 years abroad, we came back to Sydney at Christmas 2024. Just before I came back, I reached out to Mitch White to look for a boat and bought this one, which started life as Kokomo and was last known as Jason King’s Solymar, when I bought it.”
Hamilton explained that Hamilton Island and Magnetic Island race weeks “are our signature events. We’ve built a fantastic crew,” which includes White, Dick Parker, Peter Ryan on tactics and Peter Sheldrick.
“My wife, who has only been sailing 10 months and my daughter Emily, who grew up sailing in Switzerland on the lakes, are on board too.”
The Sydney yachtsman continued, “It’s a really good mix of experienced sailors and the rule on the boat is ‘no egos’ – we like to race to win but to have fun at the same time.”
Like the rest of the fleet, Division 1 got away in a 6-7 knot northerly, with the pressure building as the race wore on, allowing the boats sailed in a pleasant 10-12 knots.
“Denis did a great job being patient, waiting for conditions to be right,” Hamilton said.
Division 2 went to Eddie Mackevicius’ Beneteau 40,7, Merlion, from Grant Chipperfield’s Joker X2, a J/133. Just 44 seconds separated the two Victorian yachts. Third place was taken Queensland entry, Joint Venture, owned by Stephen Green.
Graeme Etherton’s always well-sailed The Boat (Qld) took the honours in the Multihull division from Rupert King’s Overdrive (Qld) and Ray Martin’s Beatrix, which has come all the way from WA.
“Quite light today, but nice sailing – smooth,” Etherton said. “We had some very competitive boats around us, so it was a real challenge to stay in front of them. It was light, it certainly wasn’t blowing dogs of chains, but it’s a good way to start the regatta.”
his morning, Ray Martin and his family were assembled at Beatrix. Sailing with him are his wife Mandy, sister Rosemary and brother Ian. It’s a special celebration, as parents, Dale and Margaret are here with them at Maggie Island where they previously celebrated their 60 wedding anniversary.
Racing continues tomorrow from 11am – weather permitting.
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
