6000km road trip to 2015 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

by Rob Mundle on 12 May 2015 In a few weeks, two men and their wives will hitch their sailboats to their respective cars and set off on a near 6000 kilometre road trip, just to be at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2015.

It’s an adventure they’ve been planning for more than a year, and now they’re ready to hit the bitumen and dirt roads they will encounter while traversing the continent from Goolwa, near the mouth of the Murray River in South Australia, to the tropical Whitsundays.

“We can’t wait to get there and enjoy Race Week and Hamilton Island,” said Locky McClaren, owner of the Farr 7.5 trailer-sailer, Farrnfast, and commodore of one of Australia’s oldest boating clubs, Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club, founded pre 1854. Locky and his wife Jayne will be joined by fellow club members, Brian and Sue Doser, who will be towing their Sonata 26, High C, in convoy to Race Week, which will be staged from August 15 to 22.

Brian Doser, who has been to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week once before, lodged his entry for this year’s regatta then threw out a challenge to his friends to join him. Locky and Jayne had no hesitation in accepting the challenge.

Locky started sailing about the same time as the inaugural Hamilton Island Race Week was staged more than 30 years ago. He moved from dinghy sailing to trailer yachts a decade back, and in recent times decided he wanted to be part of Race Week.

“We are going to Race Week to enjoy the sailing, warm weather, festivities and camaraderie we have heard so much about,” said McLaren. “This will be a great adventure for the four of us in many ways. If we come across an appealing lake, river or coastal port along the way we’ll stop there, launch the boats and sail around for a day or so. We’re also going to cruise around the Whitsunday Islands before the regatta.”

The McLarens and the Dosers are hoping more trailer-sailer enthusiasts across Australia will follow their lead and be at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2015.

Organisers are pleased to see entries for this year’s regatta booming ahead of the number achieved by the same date in recent years. On current projections around 200 sailboats of all shapes and sizes – including cruising and high performance multihulls – will be at Race Week, Australia’s premiere offshore regatta.

All information relating to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2015, including the Notice of Race and Entry Form, is on the regatta website.

Audi Australia returns as the principal sponsor of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week for an incredible tenth year. Over 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.