Rule 19:Room to Pass an Obstruction?
The Audi Hamilton Island Race Week fleet recently got an unexpected treat—and found itself facing a potentially tricky tactical situation—when a mother and baby humpback whale decided to check out the regatta midway through the second day.
In all, the duo spent about 45 minutes on the course, occasionally throwing themselves skyward, perhaps to get a better view.
“It was incredible. We were sailing along, and it was tracking us and then it swam parallel to us and breached,” says Ron James, one of the crew of the Beneteau 41 Synergy. “There was a massive bang when it hit the water. You could see the barnacles!” For more on the six-day series, visit hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au.
