Extra incentive
The Australian Yachting Championships are returning to Hamilton Island.
24 February 2021
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Australian Sailing has confirmed that the Australian Yachting Championships are set to return to Hamilton Island for the next two years.
Set for both the 2021 and 2022 events, Australia’s premier offshore keelboat regatta will be hosted by Hamilton Island Yacht Club (HIYC) as a part of the Hamilton Island Race Week (HIRW). This year’s championship will take place from 21–28 August.
Last year’s Australian Yachting Championship was originally set to be hosted by Sandy Bay’s Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania before being postponed due to the pandemic.
This is not the first time that the Australian Yachting Championships have been hosted by HIYC with the 2001, 2012, 2015 and 2016 championships held at Hamilton Island as standalone events. The Whitsunday island was also the location for one of the four legs of the Audi IRC Australian Championship from 2007–11.
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“We are expecting another strong line-up at this year’s event. I am sure sailors will be keen to start planning their trip to Hamilton Island to compete for a National Championship,” said Australian Sailing President, Daniel Belcher on the decision.
“Hamilton Island is a fantastic supporter of the sport of sailing in Australia, which includes their role as Major Partner of Australian Sailing’s female participation initiative SheSails and as a long-term Major Partner of the Australian Sailing Team.
“We thank them for their support and look forward to working with Hamilton Island once again to deliver a world-class event.”
Hamilton Island CEO Glenn Bourke shared Belcher’s sentiment, highlighting that the combination of the Australian Yachting Championships and Hamilton Island Race Week will be a major highlight on the 2021 competitive sailing calendar.
Bourke said, “Competitive sailing is synonymous with Hamilton Island.”
He continued, “The Australian Yachting Championships coinciding with Hamilton Island Race Week will elevate the existing competition and attract some of the most skilled yachtsmen and yachtswomen in the country.”
“Hamilton Island is immensely proud to be the host destination for this prestigious regatta and we look forward to working closely with Australian Sailing to deliver this event.”
Entries are now open for the 2021 Australian Yachting Championships via the event website.
Australian Sailing is the governing body of sailing in Australia, representing the interests of, and providing support and services to, over 360 clubs across Australia and more than 160 accredited Discover Sailing Centres.
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