Club regatta cancelled
This year's SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week, set to be held from 27 August–2 September, has been cancelled.
Photography by Andrea Francolini
05 August 2020
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Another popular regatta in Queensland has been cancelled, with The SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week (SMIRW) 2020 committee making the decision to cancel this year’s regatta.
As the COVID-19 situation worsens in the eastern states, the committee underwent lengthy discussions over a number of days before deciding to cancel Townsville Yacht Club’s popular annual event.
“The committee unanimously agreed that while the risks of contracting COVID-19 in North Queensland at this time are small, the consequences should it happen are far greater,” said Event Chairman, Mike Steel.
“Being a community-based club, keeping our sailing and wider-spread community safe is of paramount importance.”
Townsville Yacht Club and the SMIRW committee community asks for understanding in this matter: “We felt advising competitors now allows them time to make alternative plans, particularly those who are travelling to take part in our regatta,” Steel said.
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Race Week officials have advised accommodation providers on Magnetic Island, including Peppers Blue on Blue Resort and Best of Magnetic. Both are willing to retain current bookings, reschedule/roll over bookings to another date, or to cancel and refund monies to competitors and their entourages.
“We appreciate the disappointment competitors and all involved will be feeling. The committee and the TYC are just as devastated.”
Steel said, “This decision has been made after twelve months of the most difficult circumstances in which to plan an event.”
“It has required possibly more discussion and planning than any other year, due to the evolving landscape of COVID-19.”
Organisers at the Townsville Yacht Club confirmed that they will work with entrants to refund entries fees.
The 14th running of SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week will now take place in 2021, with dates to be confirmed.
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