Queensland champion skipper Mark Buchbach piloted his slick Allan Carwardine designed sports boat Raptor to an impressive win in the opening race of the Telcoinabox Airlie Beach Race week on Pioneer Bay yesterday.

Raptor which ’carved’ up the opposition to record a perfect score victory  in the Queensland championship at Mooloolaba earlier this year produced a similar impressive result over the physically demanding 22 n/ml Double Cone Island course.

Both skipper and crew expressed their sailing skill as they worked in unison with the variable 12-20 knot South East breeze to break away from the fleet after an evenly contested start.

It soon became evident that Raptor would be the boat to beat after they sailed with unmatched pace on the initial windward slog to the rounding mark set off Mandalay Point.

When spinnakers were set Raptor continued to call the shots as her crew of six sailed every gust on merit to hold their nearest challenger Brett Whitbread in Blokes World to a comfortable margin on the 11 n/ml downwind run to weather the Double-Cone Islands.

They enjoyed the sprint style sailing conditions however the sail trimmers had their work loaded up when a blast of cold 20knot wind sent Raptor scudding on the edge as they approached Double Cone Island.

But apart from the crew enjoying a fast ride Raptor then sailed clear to retain her undefeated line honours record in open fleet racing.

By Ian Grant.

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Last Updated ( Friday, 10 August 2012 )