A new record fleet could be on the cards for the 23rd annual Airlie Beach Race Week, which will run from August 10 to 16 2012. And the long awaited move to Port of Airlie could happen for this year’s Race Week.
Regatta Director Denis Thompson said today ‘We are looking forward to a big regatta this year. We had 120 boats last year and we are expecting at least that number again for the 2012 event. Things are moving along very quickly now.
‘When Meriden Marinas went into receivership this affected Abel Point Marina and the Port of Airlie development and we were in a holding pattern for a while. Both marinas are functioning quite well and its business as usual, with the same faces. The development work has accelerated at Port of Airlie and it's becoming a great marina.
‘While Abel Point Marina has been a great venue, the plan had always been to move Airlie Beach Race Week to Port of Airlie. It is obviously closer to the to all the restaurants, bars, facilities and the accommodation places in Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Sailing Club,.
‘The move may happen this year or next. With the accelerated progress that is happening right now there may be enough berths for us to shift the regatta round to Port of Airlie this year. That hasn’t been finally decided, either way it’s going to be a great 23rd annual Airlie Beach Race Week.
‘The 2012 Airlie Beach Race Week Notice of Race and online entry are just a few weeks from going live.
‘In 2011 we saw the rise and rise of the multihull classes and this growth is set to continue.
‘The multihulls are very excited about the event and the fleet could be stronger again than last year. The star of the multihulls, Simon Hull, the skipper of the New Zealand Orma 60 Vodafone is talking about coming back again so that's pretty exciting.
‘The Sports boats, the Cruising fleet and the IRC racing division are all expected to continue their growth.’
‘Start looking for those super loud Tropical Shirts and check your accommodation options for a great 23rd annual Airlie Beach Race Week from August 10 to 16 2012.'
Photographs are copyright by law. If you wish to use or buy a photograph you must contact the photographer directly (there is a hyperlink in most cases to their website, or do a Google search.) with your request.
Please do not contact
Sail-World.com
as we cannot give permission for use of other photographer’s images.
Customised news feeds -Marine Industry companies, Clubs and Associations have their own customised version of our news feed on their website. Look_here_to_see_examples
_USA_05-13[2][4].gif)
