Premium yacht racing hit the Whitsundays in 1984 when the first Hamilton Island Regatta was staged. Race week was the brainchild of entrepreneurs David Hutchen and Keith Williams. Williams owned Hamilton Island, then in its infancy as a tourist destination. From humble beginnings, Race Week has now evolved into an internationally recognised yachting event. Its success is attributable to a mixture of stunning locations, impeccable management and the inclusion of sailors' families and friends.
Sailing Hamilton Island Race Week - Facts for Competing Crews
Although originally held in April, Race Week now takes place each August, to (hopefully) take advantage of seasonal southeast winds and minimal rainfall. Contestants must register for the appropriate class. Moderate racing and cruising boats are suitable for the cruising, corporate, bareboat and non-spinnaker divisions. Performance yachts can enter the IRC Grand Prix, one design, performance racing, and sports boat or passage classes.
Entrants are typically based at the Hamilton Island Marina for the duration of the event. Berths are currently provided free of charge to participating boats. Living aboard is permitted. The marina is fully equipped with showers, toilets and a resort-style village encompassing restaurants, bars and shops. Hamilton Island accommodation is also available on shore, though this is subject to normal rates.
Sailing courses are devised by top tacticians and adjusted to suit the particular classes and conditions of the day. There are generally a series of Windward/Leeward races, short Around-the-Islands races, a Lindeman Island and a Molles Islands race. Prizes are awarded to the winner of each division at the close of the event.
Whitsunday Charter Boats at Race Week
No boat? No problem. Whitsunday bareboats are available for hire to compete in the regatta. If budget or experience are limited, competitors can join singles yachts, sailed under the supervision of a qualified skipper. Bareboats and crewed charter yachts are entered in the cruising division. Participating operators include local businesses such as Whitsunday-Rent-A-Yacht and the international charter company Sunsail.
IRC Grand Prix Yacht Racing in the Whitsundays
The majority of Race Week entrants are in the cruising classes but it is the Grand Prix yachts from the upper echelons of sailing that attract mass media attention and a sizeable spectator fleet. Several factors have intensified the growing appeal of high-end racing, not least the takeover of Hamilton Island by yachting enthusiast Robert Oatley. Multi-millionaire Bob may have made his money in wine-production but the name of Oatley remains synonymous with sailing.
Bob's current contribution to the Hamilton Island Race Week fleet is super-maxi Wild Oats X, a state-of-the-art racing yacht designed by Reichel/Pugh. Similarly high-profile competitors include Peter Harburg's Black Jack, Stephen Ainsworth's Loki and Michael Hiatt's Living Doll.
Audi Sailing Sport
Luxury German car manufacturers Audi have been major sponsors of Hamilton Island Race Week for the last three consecutive years. Audi actively supports the sport of sailing in Australia across a range of events. Hamilton Island's Race Week now forms the fourth and deciding round in the annual Audi IRC Australian Championship, which begins with Audi Victoria Week in January.
Sailing and motoring are successfully combined at Hamilton Island in a number of ways. Sailors stand to win high performance Audi models as prizes and in 2009 contestants had the opportunity to compete in the Audi Drive Challenge, a one-off chance to drive an Audi RS 6 Sedan at top speed.
Hamilton Island Race Week's Social Calendar
Race Week is renowned as much for its carnival atmosphere as for its on-water events. A full line-up of activities is staged onshore to accommodate sailors' families and friends. There is nightly entertainment and a lay-day when racing crews get to join in the fun on land. 2009 saw an end to the famous Whitehaven Beach Party, which was replaced by the Crown Lager Dent Island Day.
Off-water pursuits typically include fashion shows by leading Australian designers, a line-up of top chefs and a Moet & Chandon champagne lunch. The Marina Village transforms into a party town with live music and extra food stalls. Dent Island Day takes visitors to the Oatley family's new championship golf course with views over the Whitsunday Islands. For more information see the official website. The next Race Week is scheduled for 20-28 August 2010.
Sharon Smallwood - Sharon Smallwood is a freelance photo-journalist specialising in boating, lifestyle and travel. Sharon's entertaining, well informed and ...
