Lunchtime Legends the 100th entry for Airlie Beach Race Week 2012

by Telcoinabox Airlie Beach Race Week media on 23 Jul 2012 Entries for the 2012 Telcoinabox Airlie Beach Race Week, which runs from August 10 to 16 2012, are ahead of last year’s record numbers.

This year’s event has already attracted 110 boats and with online entries closing Friday 13 August race organisers are expecting that number to increase significantly.

Race Director Denis Thompson revealed today that Caloundra sailor Bob Robertson’s Lunchtime Legends was the 100th entry for this year’s event, received via the online entry system at www.airliebeachraceweek.com.au

Robertson, a high profile Queenslander, is preparing his Beneteau First 40 Lunchtime Legends for what he says will be his last tilt at the Rolex Sydney Hobart race, after 30 years of ocean racing in Sydney Gold Coast, Sydney Mooloolaba, Brisbane to Gladstone yacht races, with a string of boats including Queensland Maid, Hot August Night and Cracklin Rosie.

‘Sir Robbo’, as he is affectionately called, is a staunch supporter of the Airlie Beach Race having sailed in 18 of the 23 annual events.

This morning he commented ‘What I have always really liked about Airlie Beach Race Week is the courses. Pioneer Bay is a lovely place to sail, with very little tidal influence and the Island courses are better than anywhere else.

‘Heading south to Pioneer Bay, down the mainland shore from the Gloucester group beating into the south east trades in mid August is my kind of sailing’ the veteran sailor explained. ‘You have plenty of decisions to make and its great sailing and great scenery and the temperature is just perfect.’

This year Robertson has assembled for his Queensland season of sailing is a crack crew of both Queensland and Sydney sailors, with the highly regarded Sydney sailor Tony Kirby taking a major role.

‘Our crews love Airlie. There is such a variety of places to eat and loads of entertainment - they never tire of it.
‘We are doing Airlie and Hamilton and contemplating Magnetic Island too.

‘It’s a full schedule this year as we are heading south to sail in the balance of the CYCA Bluewater series. We are keen to get plenty of offshore racing practice before the Hobart race.

‘But first up we are packing our tropical shirts and shorts and sunscreen and heading north.’

To find out more about the Whitsundays famous tropical shirt regatta please visit the Telcoinabox Airlie Beach Race Week website, where you will find more information and online entry www.airliebeachraceweek.com.au