Whitsunday SC prepares to host Airlie Beach Race Week

by Ian Grant on 4 Feb 2013 A strong bond of important fellowship exists with the happy members of the Whitsunday Sailing Club. They have been encouraged to develop the guidelines of what they can do for the club rather than accept what the Club can do for them.

This has been the primary reason behind the tropical sailing destination gaining national recognition as the friendly place to sail.

Club flag officers and the management committee already have plans in place to aging roll out the welcome mat when they host the 2013 Telcoinabox Airlie Beach Race Week later this year.

Commodore Rob Davis supported by long term volunteers and club life members Jim Hayes and Ian Davies have already been guaranteed support from a willing group of club members who are prepared to roll up the sleeves to make sure the 2013 Tropical Shirt regatta is another succuss for the Airlie Beach community.

This popular winter regatta held annually in the tropical sailing paradise of Pioneer Bay and the Whitsunday Islands is expected to again attract a strong representation from owners who have already made plans to escape the torment from the cold latitudes.

Last year successful Sydney businessman and former Rolex Sydney Hobart race winner Geoffrey Ross who had heard glowing reports about the friendly racing destination of Airlie Beach finally decided to become a first time competitor.

After a week of sailing with the high performance TP52 Yendys skipper Ross and his experienced crew left Airlie Beach with a suntan and the major IRC championship trophy.

While interest continues in who will be on the start line later this year skipper Bernie Van’t Hof has focused his attention on gaining important knowledge of the tricky racing conditions with his Swan 45 Tulip.

He is determined to be prepared to defend his come from behind class championship win in 2012 with Tulip showing good form to outsail her 1.222 rating to score a light wind win in the WSC Sprint race series.

However while Bernie Van’t Hof was impressed with winning the line and corrected time double he understands that the Tulip crew will need a favourable nod for the regatta handicapper to have the chance of winning back to Back championships during Telcoinabox Airlie Beach Race Week 2013 in August.