The ocean-going yachts are expected to start arriving into Airlie Beach on Saturday, January 13, following their race up the east coast of Australia in the Wondrous Whitsundays Race.
The crews are looking forward to a well-earned rest in the Whitsundays and enjoying the two-week Whitsundays Clipper Race Carnival with their families and supporters.
The Whitsundays is the last stop of the All-Australian Leg of the Race and will be the longest stopover of the 40,000 nautical mile journey around the world.
During the Whitsundays Clipper Race Carnival there will be a raft of free events on offer for sailing enthusiasts including tours of the ocean racing yachts, public talks by the skippers and opportunities to meet the crews. There will also be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race around the Whitsunday Islands on one of the Clipper yachts in the Clipper Race Day.
There are events planned right around the region as part of the carnival including the Bendigo Bank Clipper Welcome Party (free for everyone), the Fish D’Vine White on Whitehaven Long Lunch, the Whitsunday Foodservice Progressive Cruise Lunch and a Rodeo by the Reef, in Bowen.
Innovation and Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said it was exciting that the Clipper fleet was now so close to arriving in the Whitsundays.
“Teams who have been competing in the round the world race will be able to enjoy a two-week carnival and a well-deserved rest in the beautiful Whitsundays region,” Ms Jones said.
“This event will attract visitors to the Whitsundays region and provide a welcome boost to the local economy.”
Tourism Whitsundays CEO Craig Turner said the carnival was for everyone and urged people to get involved.
“Let’s show the Clipper Race crews a warm Whitsundays welcome at the free Welcome Party on Airlie Esplanade and at all the events throughout the region,” he said.
“We are urging local businesses to also welcome the Clipper Race crews by displaying one of the Clipper Yacht Race stickers in their window – available free from the Tourism Whitsundays office.”
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the only race of its kind, pairing novice crews with experienced skippers on the adventure of a lifetime.
Crew members – who come from all over the world - can take part in just one leg or every leg of the 11-month long race around the globe.
The All-Australian leg is one of the toughest, with the Clipper crews having already completed a gruelling race around the south of Australia from Fremantle to Sydney, followed by the iconic Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Wondrous Whitsundays Race.
For more information and to book tickets for the Whitsundays Clipper Race Carnival events please visit www.whitsundayclipperrace.com.au.
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