Distant horizon
Whitsunday Sailing Club still welcoming entries for Airlie Beach Race Week in August.
07 April 2020
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Whitsunday Sailing Club, organisers of Airlie Beach Race Week, are holding out hope that the regatta will still go ahead.
In a statement released by Event Chairman Adrian Bram, the festival of sailing is still scheduled for 6-13 August, but organisers are aware of the challenges the sport is facing in the coming months.
“Sometimes it’s really hard to see the rounding mark on the horizon, even when everyone aboard knows that it’s there – we just have to rely on the compass and keep all eyes focused ahead – like searching for ‘cats’ paws’ wisps of wind on a glassed-out sea, patience and determination will get us across the line,” says Bram.
He is encouraging sailors to keep those August dates open and to get entries in, just in case the Airlie Beach Race Week Whitsundays Festival of Sailing goes ahead.
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In what form the regatta will take place remains to be seen, but Bram says that organisers will consider all routes.
“If social distancing requirements still exist, then we will adapt and conform. If prize announcements have to be online, then so be it. But if we can still get out onto the water to race around Pioneer Bay and the Whitsunday Islands, then why wouldn’t we do it!”
At this stage, skippers and crews do not need to pay any entry fee, just enter online.
“Let’s will the world to return to normality and then celebrate with a never to be forgotten regatta,” continues Bram.
“A shout out to sailors who have expressed their determination not to be beaten by this bloody pandemic: August is a long way off and we can only hope that we will have had ‘flattened the curve’ and surfed down the other side into calmer times.
On behalf of the Airlie Beach Race Week Organising Committee and the Whitsunday Sailing Club, we hope to see you in Airlie in August.”
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