by Di Pearson
Over 400 boats will be on the start line for Audi Victoria Week’s Passage Race which for the first time will start off St Kilda Pier in Melbourne and sail past bayside suburbs such as Sandringham, giving holidaymakers and locals a spectacular sight along the waterfront.
Following a big line honours win and overall victory in the Audi Dockland’s Invitational yesterday, Loki’s owner/skipper Stephen Ainsworth, is hoping his RP63 will be first over the line on Corio Bay at Geelong
This morning the forecast was for 14 knot east-sou-easterly for the start, increasing to 22 knots throughout the race.
Conditions for the race are not for record breaking, so Skandia’s record of 1 hour 40 minutes 7 seconds, set by Grant Wharington in 2006, looks safe for another year.
The 30 metre super maxi will not be on tomorrow’s start line, leaving the line honours victory open to a number of boats.
Due to start at 9.30am, when the Victorian Minister for Sport & Recreation, Hugh Delahunty, fires the start signal, the 34.3 nautical mile race is a tricky one. Competitors have the breeze, tide and not running aground on their busy agendas.
The Passage Race is the opening race of the Audi IRC Series.
Follow Audi Victoria Week at: www.victoriaweek.com
