200 and counting
Entries for this year’s Hamilton Island Race Week have surged past 200, leaving organisers to consider a number cap.
23 April 2021
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In 2016, Hamilton Island Yacht Club recorded its largest ever Race Week fleet when 252 yachts battled across the tropical Whitsunday waters. Such a number of vessels was unexpected to repeat, but with reports that entries for this year’s Hamilton Island Race Week have surged past 200, organisers are expecting the final tally to exceed this figure.
The trend has resulted in organisers considering a cap to ensure the same high standards as previous years.
Entries are still open, but organisers have recommended that all interested parties should register as soon as possible.
According to Hamilton Island CEO, Glenn Bourke, this increase in entries this year is a strong endorsement for the upcoming Race Week.
“Race Week is recognised as Australia’s premier regatta,” said Bourke.
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“It’s a reputation we work hard to retain each year, both on and off the water. Our challenge is to ensure that all participants and visitors enjoy the sailing and being on beautiful Hamilton Island.
“Even prominent international sailors will declare there is no regatta in the world to compare with Race Week, and we plan to keep it that way.”
The honour of lodging the 200th entry this year went to the four Melbourne-based owners of the Jeanneau 469 design, L’Esprit.
L’Esprit has been registered with Southport Yacht Club on the Gold Coast.
“We’re registered with Southport because the winter weather is much better there than what we get in Melbourne,” said part-owner, Rick Rogers. “It is also easier for us to get from there to Hamilton Island for Race Week and cruising each year.”
“Race Week and cruising in the Whitsundays provide us with every sailing experience we are looking for,” he added, describing the event as “unsurpassed pleasure”.
Also expected in attendance will be Marcus Blackmore’s new, 29-metre sloop, Ammonite.
Earlier this year, sailing’s national body Australian Sailing declared that the Australian Yachting Championships will be decided at Hamilton Island Race Week for the next two years.
First established following Australia’s 1983 victory in the America’s Cup, the inaugural Hamilton Island regatta was first held April 1984 with a fleet of 92 vessels.
This year’s Hamilton Island Race Week is scheduled for 21–28 August.
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