Organisers of the 30th Anniversary edition of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week have announced a new date schedule as plans for this popular race take shape.
Organisers of this unique tropical sailing extravaganza for cruising and racing yachties have decided to shorten the regatta by one day. The Welcome Party – which promises to be something even more special this year – will be held on Saturday, 17 August, while the racing, set on courses around the beautiful, tropical Whitsunday Islands, will commence the following day. The final day of competition will be on Saturday, 24 August, and the spectacular trophy presentation dinner is scheduled for that evening.
‘Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is Australia’s premier keelboat regatta,’ said the island’s CEO, world champion sailor, Glenn Bourke, ‘and to make sure we retain that top spot we are forever looking for ways to make the event bigger and better for all competitors, their families and friends.
‘We have considered shortening the series by a day for some years, and now, with the full support of our wonderful sponsors, Audi, we have decided that the 30th anniversary event is the time to make that change.
‘It is a logical move because, with the pressures of business increasing for most people these days, the new dates will put the regatta within reach of more participants, as well as those people simply wanting to be on Hamilton Island to enjoy the fun of the series.
‘This change is only the start. There will be exciting announcements made in the coming months about some big plans for the regatta – a regatta you won’t want to miss.’
The perfect venue for sailing: Hamilton Island is the centrepiece of the 74 islands making up the Whitsunday group. (Image: Hamilton Island)
Audi’s General Manager Marketing, Kevin Goult, welcomed the news, saying the company is looking forward to another highly successful Audi Hamilton Island Race Week in 2013.
‘The 30th anniversary year is an excellent opportunity for Audi and Hamilton Island to celebrate the success of this exceptional event,’ Mr Goult said. ‘We are proud to be the major sponsor of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week for the eighth successive year, and look forward to a week of excellent competitive sailing that is coupled with a vibrant onshore program.’
One of the on-water highlights this year will be a special division for the ‘First Fleeters’ – yachts that were at Hamilton Island for the inaugural Race Week in 1984. There were 93 yachts competing that year, and already there have been indications from the owners of near 20 of them that they are working towards being back at the island in August for the anniversary event.
Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2013 will also represent a decade of ownership of the award-winning island destination by yachtsman, Bob Oatley, and his family. Bob is already planning to have his record breaking 30-metre supermaxi yacht Wild Oats XI, at the regatta following its amazing trifecta in the recent Rolex Sydney Hobart race – line and handicap honours plus a race record time.
The Notice of Race for the 30th Anniversary Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is now available on the regatta website.
Luxury carmaker, Audi, returns as the Title Sponsor of Hamilton Island Race Week in 2013. The German premium brand will host a range of special events on the island for yacht owners and guests to enjoy during the week.
