Crews raced with high hopes on this final day of 2026 SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week (SMIRW), exciting prospects ahead for those in the running to win trophies and those looking to podium in the race – and once the day was done, the winners were decided.
Today’s finale was appropriately Peppers Race Day, as it decided the final outcome in each division and was announced at the official prize giving at Peppers Race Headquarters.
It was a beautiful summer like day and conditions were, well, perfect. The softer winds and flat sea on a hot sunny day changed up some results on extremely close scoreboards. No mistakes were left unpunished.
IRC goes to Saltwater Wine
From the outset, a battle loomed large between two NSW boats: Tom Woods’ JPK 10.80, Saltwater Wine and David Hamilton’s Farr 40 One-Design, Seeking Alpha. However, Woods’ crew held the upper hand throughout and gave no quarter. Quest, Grant Golombick’s TP52, also from NSW filled out the top three.
“We’re all very happy,” Woods said after their fifth win from six races. “I can’t say we made any mistakes, except for breaking the start in Race 2 – my fault. It’s been awesome here. A great regatta. I’m starting to work the boat out. Sailing it every day and doing some training makes a difference. This is the first regatta we’ve put the boat together and done well.
“It was good to beat the Alpha team. I know some of them and they’re very skilled. Today was the best, conditions were great and it’s back to being tropical Queensland,” said Woods who is hoping Sail Paradise on the Gold Coast in October will be as successful for them.
IRC boats get going – Photo Revolution Productions
SeaLink Spinnaker Division 1
Yesterday’s race winner, Peter Russell and his Italia 13.98, Vincitore (Vic), came out and won again today, so toppled those who looked likely to take home the overall trophy.
The two most likely, Cinquante and Daguet, missed out altogether, as Hughie Lewis’ second with Hartbreaker (Tas) and David Lamond’s third with Adela X (NSW) means the latter finished second overall, while Hartbreaker slotted into third place.
Amazingly, Russell and all but one of his crew are quite ill with the flu, but their best results came with it! He said, “I’m quite surprised we won. It was definitely our best race though. We started well and made all the right decisions for once! We had excellent crew work.”
“A crew member piped in with, It was all part of a cunning plan.”
Russell added, “It was beautiful out there, certainly the best day we’ve had on the water. Nice breeze, an excellent day. A great effort by everyone on the boat. They’re a great crew.”
Spinnaker Division 1 gets off the start – Photo Revolution Productions
SeaLink Spinnaker Division 2
Brian Yarnall started the regatta with a win with his 49i, Mika (Vic) and stayed in the top spot throughout, though he was challenged by others throughout. Today it all changed when the Fletcher Tivey skippered Ragamuffin III from the host club, won today’s race, handing her victory. Mika missed out by one point. James Permazel’s Hanse 445, Charm Offensive, also from the host club, placed third overall.
SeaLink Spinnaker Division 3
It was wide open coming into the day, with a pile of boats with little between them. Joe Niven’s local Beneteau Oceanis 41.1, Chinook, was the one to beat, but it didn’t happen. Even though Chinook scored its worst result, there was enough in the bank. Philip Cormie’s Dreamtime (Vic) and Andrew McConaghy’s Dragonfly (Qld) filled out second and third. Brava, owned by TYC Director, Tony Muller, won the last race.
The local yachtsman said, “First of all I’d like to thank the organisers, Townsville Yacht Club, the volunteers and sponsors. Without them there is no regatta. I also thank Peppers for the great venue. And I thank the handicapper, who did a good job. Everyone has a chance – the dice rolled my way this year.”
Niven finished, “I put together a crew of Magnetic Island residents less than a year ago and they did a good job this week. We look forward to racing more on Cleveland Bay with Townsville Yacht Club and doing Magnetic Island in future years.”
Fesity Division 3 away – Photo Revolution Productions
SeaLink Spinnaker Division 4
Six boats were in contention is this division: Jacob McConaghy’s Thompson 870, Keep on Running (Vic) led the charge, with Daniel McSweeney’s Brigus (Qld), Jack Maguire’s Zen and the Art of Sailing (the local), David McKay’s Shaw 650, Black Betty (NSW) and Alan Grant’s Loose Cannon (NSW).
Black Betty’s third in the final race gave her the overall win from Keep on Running and Brigus. It’s a quick little boat that is well-sailed.
Non Spinnaker Division
Andrew Watson’s Beneteau Oceanis 473, Apres Vous (Qld) and Pru Bennett’s Bavaria 44, Cloudbreak (NSW), fought for pole position throughout. Nipping at their heels and on equal points coming into the last race, were Chris Males’ Roller Coast (Tas) and Tony and Jack Hennessy’s Joan Ellen (Vic).
Apres Vous came through, her third place today ensuring the series win by two points over Dreamagic and Cloudbreak. “This was a really good result for us, so we’re very happy. Today was the best conditions wise for sailing. The rest you just had to hang on because it was so windy,” Watson said.
“I love my crew. I’m crewed by the best Sandy (Sandringham Yacht Club) has to offer.” Representing Queensland, Watson explained, “I have dual Victorian and Queensland passports!
“Today’s race I dedicated to my daughter Jess, who passed away in 2023.
“Finally, thank you to all the crew who run this event and the volunteers. It was a great regatta for having everyone together,” Watson ended.
Multihull Division
The Boat (Graeme Etherton, a local) and Gordon Beath’s Roamance (NSW) were the outstanding two in the multihulls. The Boat though, had the upper hand, scoring four wins from five races to defeat Roamance by three points. Third went to West Australian entry, Beatrix owned by Ray Martin. He just could not quite get to the other two – this time.
“We only won by a minute and a half today. The other two (Roamance and Beatrix) were only three seconds apart. We’re elated to have a win. Roamance is a bigger boat, so it’s good to win against her.
“It hasn’t been nice weather at all. The Boat likes strong winds, but I don’t! I prefer conditions like today – it was a nice way to finish off the regatta. I’d like to thank my crew. One guy flew up from Sydney and two had crewed with me at Hamo and Maggie last year,” Etherton said.
This morning Principal Race Officer, Denis Thompson, sent the fleet on a Strand Race, similar to Saturday’s, but with some adaptations. It meant locals and visitors got a second close-up view of racing when the boats rounded the Strand mark – bring on the Olympic Sailing!
“I’ve amended one the courses slightly so all the divisions finish in a similar direction,” explained Thompson, who said the fleet could expect 13 knots from the east, swinging south-east and then back to the east.
Crew of The Boat – happy with their Mulltihull victory – Photo Revolution Productions
In this 19th running of Townsville Yacht Club’s (TYC) signature event, the forecast was welcome relief. This has been one of the breeziest editions in memory and has left a few weary bodies after racing one after the other at the other northern regattas and feeder races. Softer conditions was a nice way to bring the regatta to a close.
Mike Steel, Event Chairman, Commodore of TYC and a competitor with his Elan E5, Boadica, thanked all competitors and volunteers, “Without them, we would not have an event.”
He also thanked the sponsors and Principal Race Officer, Denis Thompson and his race management team – and the event manager, Jodie Kennedy. This was her final year at SMIRW as she is moving on to an exciting opportunity in Brisbane later this month.
“After 14 years of building our event into what it is today, Jodie will be sorely missed,” Steel commented.
Kennedy told how “I started as a volunteer in 2013 and then took on the contract in 2014. I knew how to run events, but knew nothing about sailing when I started. I’ve learnt a lot over the years from people like Denis Thompson.”
Next year marks the 20th edition of SMIRW. “We’ve been thinking about the 20th for the last six months and starting to plan how we celebrate it,” Steel said. When we look back at the 10th year, we had trouble selling berths. Because the event’s become so popular, now we could sell 90, but we only have 75.
“It takes time to understand what people what, but now we have the recipe right and we don’t want to deviate too far from that. Even the opening night this year – it was so good to see everyone having so much fun. Peppers has done a great job here. They’ve also had to evolve with the event like we did. It’s a big ask. SeaLink also remains committed, for which we are thankful,” Steel said.
There are more exciting times ahead for TYC and Townsville, as it has been chosen as one of the venues for the 2032 Olympic Games Sailing Competition.
“We’ve worked hard to find solutions to run the Sailing Competition in 2032,” Steel said. “It’s not only the sailing waters we have to think about. There’s the infrastructure, such as location of shipping containers, support facilities, accommodations and everything that’s needed to run an event of that magnitude. We’re sure we can provide the right venue for the Games,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back next year for the 20th. We will advise in advance when entries are to open and I can only say we sold out in eight minutes last year, so you will need to be quick,” Steel reminded us.
Neverland against Maggie Island backdrop – Photo Revolution Productions
SMIRW is supported by Townsville City Council through Townsville Enterprise and Tourism and Events Queensland.
For full results and all information, please visit: www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au
By Di Pearson/SMIRW media
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