Please select your home edition
Edition
A+T Instruments BFD 2024 Leaderboard

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week - Landmark occasion in the Whitsundays

by Michelle Crowshaw on 19 Aug 2013
Audi Hamilton Island Race week 2013 - Hamilton Island Yacht Club Andrea Francolini Photography http://www.afrancolini.com/
Taking place from 17–24 August, Australia’s premier offshore regatta celebrates its pearl anniversary in 2013, drawing more than 155 boats to the Whitsunday Island for the landmark occasion. This year also marks the 10th year of Oatley custodianship of Hamilton Island, a momentous milestone in its own right.

Avid sailor and owner of the infamous supermaxi Wild Oats XI, family patriarch Bob Oatley officially launched the week with a ceremonial raising of the flag accompanied by Queensland’s Minister for Tourism, Small Business, Major Events and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey and Audi Australia’s Managing Director, Andrew Doyle.

Bob said: ‘Reaching thirty years of this great regatta could not have been accomplished without the tremendous commitment by the sailing fraternity including everyone here this evening. I thank you for your continued support for what has evolved, particularly over the last decade, into a truly world-class sailing event.’

Attending the prestigious launch evening were yacht owners and sailing’s elite including Australian 2012 Olympic Gold Medallists, Mat Belcher and Malcolm Page; two time America's Cup winner Ernesto Bertarelli; New Zealand’s America's Cup sailor, and Bertarelli's sailing master, Brad Butterworth; two time Audi Hamilton Island Race Week champion, Marcus Blackmore; Wild Oats XI Captain, Mark Richards; the world's fastest man under sail - Paul Larsen; winner of the inaugural Hamilton Island Race Week, Peter Briggs (who has brought the same yacht, Hitchhiker', from Perth this year), and finance guru Paul Clitheroe.

Bob’s three children, eldest son and Chairman of Hamilton Island Enterprises, Sandy Oatley, Ian Oatley and Ros Oatley, plus granddaughter Nicky Tindill (nee Oatley), were also all in attendance, representing three generations of the Oatley family.

German luxury carmaker and principal sponsor, Audi, is celebrating its eighth year of partnership with Audi Hamilton Island Race Week in 2013.

'Audi is proud to be a long-time sponsor of this incredibly engaging and competitive event,' said Managing Director of Audi Australia, Andrew Doyle. 'On behalf of Audi, our team and our guests, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Oatley family for their great friendship and support of our brand in these past eight years. It has been a thoroughly enjoyable and valuable partnership between two great brands.'

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week has evolved over the past three decades into a spectacular display of on-water racing paired with the finest epicurean cuisine, exclusive fashion shows, flowing champagne and celebrity guests. Special events not to be missed at this year’s regatta include the Collette Dinnigan Resort Show and Cocktail Party at qualia Resort, the only location outside of Paris that the internationally acclaimed fashion designer shows her collections; the Charles-Heidsieck Champagne Lunch where guests will dine on a bespoke menu matched with fine Charles-Heidsieck wines; brunches and lunches presented by Audi ambassadors and iconic Australian chefs Matt Moran, Kylie Kwong and Shannon Bennett; and the Paspaley Pearl Pursuit and Luncheon featuring an Island-wide treasure hunt with clues and challenges to be followed before guests enjoy a glorious lunch served on the sands of Pebble Beach, qualia.






For more information visit Hamilton Island Race Week

Allen Dynamic 40 FooterArmstrong 728x90 - HA Foil Range - BOTTOMC-Tech 2021 (Spars-QFX Racer) 728x90 BOTTOM

Related Articles

The power of tech
What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it? What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it?
Posted on 2 Jul
Jazz Turner Faces Everything and Rises
Non-stop, solo, unassisted British Isles navigation has captivated sailors & non-sailors alike Jazz Turner's Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin Vega 27ft yacht has captivated sailors and non-sailors alike.
Posted on 2 Jul
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D3
Surprise exits in Marstrand as Quarter-Finalists decided The qualifying round-robin stages at GKSS Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand finished today with the surprise departure of defending champion USA's Chris Poole/ Riptide Racing and Switzerland's Eric Monnin/ Capvis Swiss Match Racing Team from the Open Class.
Posted on 2 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais Day 1
Sled sparkle in Cascais' Atlantic surf to lead After seemingly being starved of boisterous top end conditions for some years now Okura's Sled crew have been relishing a return to big breezes and big waves.
Posted on 2 Jul
CSA commits to collaboration and sustainability
This year's AGM saw participation from a diverse group of stakeholders The Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) proudly announces the successful conclusion of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Regatta Organizers Conference, held from June 25 to June 28, 2025, in St. Maarten.
Posted on 2 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race: Offshore classics set to race
IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it. While French round the world race legend Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (aka VDH) isn't competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race, two of his former steeds will be on the IRC Zero start line.
Posted on 2 Jul
Four days to start the 5th AEGEAN 600
The fleet has a wide range of sizes and types represented Nearly all 60 teams are assembled here at the Olympic Marine venue getting ready for the start of the 5th edition of the AEGEAN 600, organized by the Hellenic Offshore Race Club (HORC) with co-organizers being Olympic Marine and Region of Attica.
Posted on 2 Jul
The Magenta Project unveils new brand identity
As part of its milestone tenth anniversary As part of its milestone tenth anniversary, The Magenta Project is excited to launch a refreshed brand identity and the first phase of its new website, reinforcing its commitment to equity and inclusion for women in sailing.
Posted on 2 Jul
Course des Caps Update: A promising start!
The eleven crews have begun their grand tour around the British Isles The Course des Caps - Boulogne-sur-Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord, which set sail from the shores of northern France, marks the first race of the 2025 season and kicks off the new edition of the IMOCA Globe Series Championship.
Posted on 2 Jul
18ft Skiffs: Queensland 18 footer history
Decades of successful ideas and achievement Queensland's revival over recent seasons, which resulted in a two-pronged attack by experienced and young teams in new skiffs at the 2025 Giltinan world championship
Posted on 2 Jul