1:18 AM Thu 1 Apr 2010 GMT
A spinnaker sailing trade wind forecast promises to propel the Brisbane to Gladstone fleet over the 308 nautical mile course.
The official race forecast suggests a possible threat to the 20 hour 24 minute 40 second record set by the Grant Wharington skippered Victorian super maxi Skandia Wild Thing in similar conditions in 2004.
This challenge rests with the line honours match race between the defending champion Black Jack helmed by Brisbane Americas Cup sailor Mark Bradford and the smaller Hamilton Island Yacht Club ocean racer the Bruce Absolon skippered Nikon Spirit of The Maid.
Both of these exceptionally fast yachts have the potential to challenge the record but their chance to reach the finish before the official race clock ticks past 7-24-40 am on Saturday, rests with what nature provides.
Last year Black Jack took the line honours win after completing the first half of the course before a spinnaker was hoisted, yet still produced an impressive 22 hour 7 minute 18 second time.
Skipper Mark Bradford remains confident about the race. 'Basically a record chase depends entirely on the wind strength and more importantly the wind angle and that has to fall in place for the record to come under threat' he said.
The promise of a spinnaker start and a stronger band of wind blowing as the fleet enters the open ocean of Caloundra will again favour the smaller and lower handicap yachts, including eight time race winner Saltash 11 to firm a grip on overall handicap honours.
Saltash ll, which scored her last win in similar conditions in 2007, is raced by a crew of five who all take a turn at the helm which allows her to surf the ocean swell at speeds above her handicap rating.
But her chance of recording another win and the possible record threatening match race between Black Jack and Spirit of The Maid rests in the hands of Old Huey, the ocean racing sailor's weather prophet.
www.brisbanetogladstone.com.au
by Ian Grant
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