Please select your home edition
Edition
V-DRY-X

A 'phenomenal' 252 yachts enter for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

by Rob Mundle on 11 Aug 2016
Sailing to the finish line: Spectacular tropical scenery and superb sailing conditions will be just two of the wide variety of attractions for the crews contesting Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2016 Andrea Francolini Photography http://www.afrancolini.com/
2016 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week - A record 252 yachts have entered for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2016, which starts on August 20.

The remarkable fleet, which represents the full spectrum of offshore capable yachts, is 25 more than the previous record of 227 which was established in 2008 - the regatta’s 25th anniversary series. The largest competing yacht is 30 metres long and the smallest just 6.5 metres.

As is always the case, the strongest fleet numerically is the cruising yacht division; 37 are entered in the non-spinnaker category while 98 are classified as general cruising yachts. There are 46 cruising and racing multihulls also competing. The Australian Yachting Championship has attracted 54 monohulls and 15 multihulls.

Of the smaller entries, 17 are trailables, the majority of which are being towed great distances to be at the regatta.

On a state by state breakdown, New South Wales tops the list with 96 entries, Queensland 86, Victoria 51, Tasmania and South Australia five each, Western Australia four and the ACT one. Three international entries have also nominated.

“It is a phenomenal fleet,” said Audi Hamilton Island Race Week’s Race Director, Denis Thompson today. “It is certainly going to provide some logistical challenges for us, but I am sure we will be able to handle them.

“One of those challenges will be to organise the racing so that the entire fleet isn’t required to assemble in the same area each day, especially for the starts we have off Hamilton Island Yacht Club. It is going to be a big task for the race management team to ensure everything runs smoothly, but as they have proved over so many years, they will handle it.”

Despite this remarkably large fleet, Hamilton Island’s Harbour Master, James Burrell, is unfazed: “We have spent more than $2 million this year expanding the superyacht docking facilities within the harbour, and this means that all Race Week yachts will have their own dock space; no one will be required to raft-up,” he said. “Despite the great number, the entire fleet will be accommodated inside the harbour.”

The Notice of Race and entry form for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2016 are now posted on the website The regatta – Australia’s largest offshore sailing series – caters for a remarkably wide range of sailboats: from sportboats and trailables through to Grand Prix level keelboats, maxi and supermaxi yachts, cruising yachts of all sizes and configuration, and multihulls.

Audi Australia returns as the naming right sponsor of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week for an incredible eleventh year. Throughout the past decade of partnership, Audi and Hamilton Island have worked hand-in-hand to create the most impressive sailing regatta in Australia, with even more activities on offer for sailors and onshore guests alike. This shared vision is based on a joint passion for winning performance, technological innovation and spirited competition.
Boat Books Australia FOOTERAllen Dynamic 40 FooterNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Related Articles

Dutch Water Week preview
The youngest city in the Netherlands will celebrate sport, fun, and innovation From Olympic champions to first-time paddleboarders—everyone is welcome on and around the water during Dutch Water Week 2025 in Almere. From Palma de Mallorca, passing by Hyerès and Kiel to Los Angeles, now to the Weerwater in the heart of Almere.
Posted today at 1:36 pm
La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec
34 Sailors in Pursuit of Sailing's Holy Grail Unattainable, timeless, uncompromising, iconic—superlatives abound when describing La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, an event organized by OC Sport Pen Duick. And all the sailors who've taken part in this legendary race over the years would certainly agree.
Posted today at 9:44 am
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 8
Super Finals Saturday sees Daida Moreno produce buzzer beater The penultimate day of the 2025 Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup saw final results gained in three categories; Women's, U21 Boy's and U18 Boy's and all three divisions required Super Finals to determine the eventual winners.
Posted on 12 Jul
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 5
A day to remember on Lake Garda with waves and strong gusts A day to remember on Lake Garda for the fifth and penultimate day of the 2025 Moth World Championship, hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine from 6 to 13 July.
Posted on 12 Jul
Jazz Turner Makes History in Project FEAR
Jazz credits Allen for providing cutting-edge sheeting systems, as well as expert advice Project FEAR, an extraordinary solo sailing voyage by Jazz Turner, has concluded successfully: she became the first disabled person – and specifically the first wheelchair user – to sail non-stop and unassisted around the UK and Ireland.
Posted on 12 Jul
18th Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona overall
Some of the most celebrated gems of classic yachting in the waters off Barcelona The sails have now been lowered on the 18th edition of the Puig Vela Clàssica, which this week brought together some of the most celebrated gems of classic yachting in the waters off Barcelona.
Posted on 12 Jul
Dylan Fletcher previews Portsmouth
Fletcher says SailGP's Portsmouth debut offers the team the chance to 'right the wrongs'. With just a week to go until SailGP's return to Great Britain, we sit down with Emirates GBR driver Dylan Fletcher to discuss the opportunities and pressures of a home event.
Posted on 12 Jul
Australian sailors take to Olympic waters
Regatta serves as an important test, not just for sailors, but also for organisers The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta is set to get begin, marking the first major combined event on the waters of the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
Posted on 12 Jul
Marine Auctions: Two Online Auctions in July
Also Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region Marine Auctions are proud to announce that Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region in South Australia. Jacob is a local Commerical Fisherman.
Posted on 12 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta 2025 Preview
The fourth stop of the five series Sailing Grand Slam circuit Over 200 elite athletes from 42 nations have converged on Long Beach to test their skills on the same waters that will host sailing events during the LA2028 Olympic Games as they compete in the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta July 12-20
Posted on 12 Jul