The event, now in its 28th year, promises an exciting program of both on-water and off-water activities and is set to draw hundreds of sailors, their families and friends to the region.
Tourism Whitsundays CEO Craig Turner said the Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing was one of the Whitsundays’ premier sporting and community events and it reinforced the region’s reputation as a sailing mecca.
“The Whitsundays is renowned for its sailing and this event is a reminder to everyone just how beautiful the sailing is at this time of year,” he said.
“The Whitsunday Sailing Club is to be congratulated for staging this event and it really does get bigger and better each year, with hundreds of people descending on the town.
“Not only is it one of the region’s biggest events but it is also one of the biggest events on the annual East Coast sailing calendar, with sailors flocking to the region for the excellent sailing conditions and weather, as well as the packed social calendar.”
The racing format will be a combination of round-the-buoys racing in Pioneer Bay, and passage races in Pioneer Bay and the Whitsunday Passages. Multiple races may be held on some days.
Registration is on Thursday, August 10, followed by a competitors’ meeting. The first race is on Friday, August 11, and the last race of the series is scheduled for the morning of Thursday, August 17. A Lay Day is scheduled for Monday, August 14.
Marketing director Adrian Bram said there was a raft of social events planned including the Festival Fun Run, which is staged by the Airlie Beach Running Club, and a ‘Long Lunch on the Lawn’ with a French inspired six-course menu at the Whitsunday Sailing Club, both on Saturday August 12.
“There will also be food stalls operated by a range of local caterers to keep hungry competitors and guests topped up after each day’s racing, with roast meat rolls, wood fired pizzas, club specials and fresh oysters all on the menu,” he said.
“There will be free, live entertainment following the nightly presentations including Matt Angell, Off Da Railz, Lloyd Saunders, the Cadillacs, Jan Arns, Gypsy Soul and the Hillbilly Goats.”
A free shuttle service between Abell Point Marina and Whitsunday Sailing Club will operate every race day from 3.30pm until 10pm, courtesy of ‘Whitsundays 2 Everywhere’.
Race entries close at midnight on Thursday August 3 - go to: www.abrw.com.au/sailing/entries and www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au for regional information.
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