Airlie Beach Race Week - Entries now open

by Jav Greaves on 9 Apr 2013 Airlie Beach Race Week is being held from 9th to 16th August. While for the southern parts of Australia spring has definitely sprung, don’t pack away the summer clothes too deeply in the drawers, as in Northern Queensland the planning for the 24th annual Airlie Beach Race Week is well underway.

The Whitsunday Sailing Club has released the Notice of Race and is taking online entries for the 24th annual Airlie Beach Race Week 2013.

With the regatta dates changing slightly from previous years to allow competitors the opportunity to participate in the Great Whitsunday Fun Race on Saturday 17th, before heading across to Hamilton Island to take part in Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.

The regatta will consist of eight classes, including the Multi-hull Australian Championship, Sportsboats, handicap and one-design keelboat racing and the very popular Cruising classes.

With the Port of Airlie development much further progressed, including the scheduled completion of the WSC dedicated, there will be greater berthing options within walking distance of the off-water fun at the sailing club.

WSC Commodore, Mr Rob Davis says, 'This year promises to be another great regatta, with our club, community and management team all working to provide a fun and exciting event, with plenty to enjoy on and off the water. If you have always wanted to race in the warm waters of the Whitsunday Islands we would love to see you here in August.'

Airlie Beach Race Week has always been known for its fun and affordable atmosphere, and the 2013 event will be no different. With nightly entertainment and events at the Whitsunday Sailing Club, where in the true traditional of the regatta, stories and lies will be told over a cool refreshment, before heading into one of the many fantastic venues located within walking distance in town for dinner or to continue the party.

The easy accessibility and vast range of accommodation options of the mainland town of Airlie Beach has ensured that it is a popular regatta with many forms of trailable boats, especially Sportsboats and multihulls.

In 2013 the Multihull Australian Championship will be run as part of Airlie Beach Race Week. Victorian Trimaran owner Tim Pepperell has already started his planning for the trip north to sail in the Whitsundays this August.

'We enjoy making the trip to Airlie Beach, as at the end of a long journey are some of the best sailing grounds in the world. The locals also go out of their way to make us welcome doing whatever they can to help us get out on the water. We are looking forward to a great series with potentially 40 boats competing for the Australian Championship,' says Pepperell.

The Whitsunday Sailing Club has engaged New Tack Events to work alongside regatta Principle Race Officer, Denis Thompson to manage the event on behalf of the club. New Tack Director and Olympic Sailing Gold medallist Mark Turnbull OAM is excited to be working with the Sailing Club to keep improving what is already a fantastic event.

'We are looking forward to doing our part in ensuring that ABRW continues to grow and provide the sailors and their families with a great opportunity to race and holiday in Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands'.

To Download the 2013 Airlie Beach Race Week Notice of Race and enter online please visit here.