World title and race winning maxi-sloops Matador, Ragamuffin, The Card, Apollo and Hammer Of Queensland will trim their sails to contest the Hot FM Great Whitsunday Fun Race off Airlie Beach, Australia, on Saturday.

This super maxi challenge is the only big boat race of its type on the international yacht racing circuit, and has a remarkable history of being the only event where the multi-million dollar fleet race for the honour of winning the most useless prize in the sport of yacht racing.

Despite the fact that an empty bottle of Bundaberg Rum is the only reward for winning the event, this year’s race has attracted a record entry numbers. Former Sydney-Hobart line honours winner Ragamuffin skippered by Bernard Hieman will be flying the ‘battle flag’ for race sponsor HOT FM when the battle lines are drawn against old rival David Haynes helming The Card.

The competition between these two well-sailed yachts will be a feature in Australia’s largest one day race which attracts a diversified fleet ranging from the big sail carrying maxi’s, fast lane sailing multihulls to the traditional square riggers and luggers.

Selecting a line honours winner in this fleet will be difficult in itself, not to mention the fact that the crews of The Card, Matador, Ragamuffin and Apollo are preparing for an America’s Cup type match racing ‘dog-fight’ on Saturday. Racing is promised to be close and competition will be stiff. Results next week…