Wild Thing skipper Grant Wharington today set a new record for the Bass Strait crossing after smashing the benchmark crossing set by Jo Westerlo's Prowler by an impressive six hours.
Wild Thing skipper Grant Wharington today set a new record for the Bass Strait crossing after smashing the benchmark crossing set by Jo Westerlo's Prowler by an impressive six hours. Wharington is likely to be crowned "King of Bass Strait" after setting a new record of 13 hours, 7 minutes and 21 seconds for the Bass Strait crossing between Devonport and Melbourne.
But Wharington was not alone in his quest for a record-breaking run today. The crossing benchmark was earlier broken by Ian Treleaven's Merit Navigator who were first to smash the benchmark time down to 14 hours, 47 minutes and 56 seconds.
"Its been a day for setting records" said race director John Duffin.
"We're delighted that the crossing benchmark has been broken twice in one day - first by Merit Navigator then by Australian Skandia Wild Thing. I think that it is testament to the quality of competitors this first-time event has drawn that we are able to see such times being set. Remember that we are only half-way through the race period" he said.
Speaking via phone from his record setting yacht Grant Wharington, skipper of Australian Skandia Wild Thing said: "We're delighted to have taken part in the first ever Navigator Dash race, and setting a new racing record between Devonport and Melbourne was phenomenal"
"This was a great challenge. We set off at 2.40am, just two hours after Merit Navigator and we chased them all the way across Bass Strait. It made things pretty exciting when we were in each other's sight as we made our way to the heads" he said.
With performances like these the Navigator Dash is set to become one of the highlights of the Australian yachting calendar.
Commodore Colin Johnston of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria said the Navigator Dash set a new benchmark for Australian ocean racing, with crews using the elements and their navigational skills to race against the clock.
"It's like no other yachting race, and I'm confident that it will gain momentum as one of the premier yachting events."
The Navigator Dash continues until 15 January when the skipper of the winning yacht will be crowned "King of Bass Strait".
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For further information please contact:
Craig Rattray - Royal Yacht Club of Victoria on 0412 543 227
Bernadette Collins - Navigator on 03 9829 8818
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