As the number of yachts entered for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2010 approaches the magical figure of 200 the New Zealanders have declared they are on a mission – the want the South Pacific Cup.

2009 Hamilton Island Race Week Photo Credit Andrea Francolini

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has advised Hamilton Island Yacht Club that two highly competitive yachts, Jim Farmer’s new TP52, Georgia, and Rob Basset’s 52-footer, Wired, will be racing under the club’s burgee in the Kiwi quest for the trophy.

The South Pacific Cup is an international team event which was first contested at the 25th staging of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week two years ago. The Australian team comprising Yendys (Geoff Ross), Alegria (Rod Jones) and Living Doll (Michael Hiatt) claimed the prize.

 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week officials will meet this week to select the two Australian yachts which will defend the cup at the regatta, which starts on August 20.

The entry list for the 27th edition of Race Week is now nudging 190, and with a few days to go until the close of nominations, indications are that it could go as high as 200.

Ironically, among the entries about to be lodged are the largest contender – Lang Walker’s spectacular new 58-metre superyacht KOKOMO III  – and some of the smallest – three 6.1 metre long SB3 sportboats. And, while the yachts are coming from around Australia and overseas, so too are the competitors: ex-pat Australian Robbie Vaughan, who won the Cruising Division two years ago, will be returning from America to race his 64-footer, Van Diemen III; and Mount Isa panel beater Greg Fietz will be arriving with four mates in the hope they find crew positions for the week. ‘We’ve heard so much about Race Week we just know that we want to do it, so we’re turning up on spec in hope we find a ride,’ Fietz explained. ‘It will be a nice change from the bush.’

FEDERAL ELECTION: Race Week competitors will be able to cast their votes in the Federal Election (scheduled for August 21) at a special polling booth on Front Street, at Hamilton Island. Voting times will be from 0900hrs to 1700hrs on Friday, August 20, and 0800hrs to 1800hrs on Saturday, August 21.

Entries for this year’s regatta close on August 6.

Hamilton Island Race Week’s naming rights sponsor, Audi, is the fastest growing German luxury carmaker, and the major supporter of yachting, in Australia.

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is Australia’s largest and most awarded keelboat regatta. All details relating to on-water and onshore activities can be found on the website: www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au

Rob Mundle –