Telcoinabox Airlie Beach Race Week - Events galore

by Corrie Gardner on 30 Jul 2012 This year marks the 23rd running of Airlie Beach Race Week in the Whitsundays. The event has grown each year from humble beginnings and was originally the idea of the founder of the Hog's Breath Cafe, Don Algie, to help promote the opening of the first Hog's Breath Cafe in Australia.

In order to stage the event at the peak sailing period and to not clash with Hamilton Island Race Week, the Whitsunday Sailing Club and Don decided to hold the first regatta in the lead up to the famous Fun Race in September of 1989. This event was named the Hog's Breath Cruising Classic to cater for the influx of coastal cruising yachts which visited the Whitsundays at that time of the year.

The fleet has now grown from 40 yachts in 1998 to well over 120 and has seen Telcoinabox come onboard as the 2012 naming rights sponsor. The social aspect of Race Week has also been an attraction, with yachties meeting in the competitor’s marquee for an hour or two of lie telling over cool refreshments before hitting the town of Airlie Beach for dinner.

Entrants for 2012:

The premier class for the regatta is IRC, the international rating system. The top boat in this class is a TP52, Yendys (Sydney spelt backwards), skippered by Sydney Hobart race winner Geoff Ross from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Sydney. Mr. Ross has chartered the boat from King Juan Carlos of Spain.

Smallest boat in IRC is Norm O’Brien’s (Sunshine Coast YC) S&S34 Constellation. S&S 34 is a classic '60s design from Sparkman & Stephens.

The Cruising division has attracted the biggest fleet so far (July 20) with 26 entries. Biggest is the local maxi Broomstick and glamour boat Storm II, Don Algie’s Warwick 66. Smallest is Inisheer skippered by Daniel Farmer, from the Sunshine Coast YC, a classic Duncanson 35.

Star of the multihull division is of course Team Vodafone; skipper Simon Hull, the ORMA 60 trimaran from the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron, Auckland. The smallest so far is Gneisenau, a Corsair 750 Sprint Mk II from Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club in SA, skippered by Ross McOmish.

Probably the youngest in the regatta is Dan Townsend, a club junior who is now 13 and has come through the ranks. Think he will be sailing on Cynaphobe. [contact his mum Kim on 49465657 or 0400354059 if you want more details]

Any changes/additions to event:

No changes to courses or races. The courses vary year and are picked to suit the conditions on the day from the course book.

Competitor/crew events:

The event organisers go to great lengths to provide a fantastic schedule of racing and socialising for competitors for the duration of the regatta. From the Opening Party on Thursday 9 August through to the closing presentations on Thursday 16 August, all competitors and family have a fantastic opportunity to race and socialise every day. The race HQ is based at the Whitsunday Sailing Club and transport will be provided daily from Abel Point marina at the end of racing. From 3.30-7.30 there will be daily entertainment with live bands, food and refreshments at the marquee at the Sailing Club for all competitors and support crew.

Date	Event	Location	Time	Entertainment
Thursday 9th	Welcome party	Regatta HQ Whitsunday Sailing Club	3.30 – 7:30 pm	KRASH/PARTY/POP/ROCK
Friday 10th	After race celebration	WSC Marquee	3.30 – 7:30 pm	DANWAR
Saturday 11th	After race celebration	WSC Marquee	3.30 – 7:30 pm	FISH JAM
	Airlie Beach Hotel Live Band	Airlie Beach Hotel	7:30pm – late	UNDER THE RADAR
Sunday 12th	After race celebration	WSC Marquee	3.30 – 7:30 pm	MTV
	Tropical Hot Rock Party	Village Café Restaurant & Bar	6:00pm – late	ROCK
Monday 13th	Lay Day – no racing. Recovery Breakfast at The Village Cafe
	Crew Party	Whitsunday Sailing Club	11:00 - 4:00pm	DANWAR
Tuesday 14th	Ladies Lunch Whitsunday Sailing Club 12:30-3:30pm
	After race celebration	WSC Marquee	3.30 – 7:30 pm	WASABI
Wednesday 15th	After race celebration	WSC Marquee	3.30 – 7:30 pm	SHAUN KIRK
Thursday 16th	WRAP UP PARTY	WSC Marquee	3:30 - 9:00pm	DIVA 'AJ'
	Presentation of Prizes & Trophies	WSC Marquee	6:00pm
	Final After Party	Mama Africas	10pm – late

How the public can be involved:

This year there are a number of social events open to the public. These include a party at Airlie Beach Hotel on Saturday 11 August, a party at Village Café and Restaurant on Sunday 12 August, a ladies long lunch at the Whitsunday Sailing Club on Tuesday 14 August and the closing after party at Mama Africa on Thursday 16 August.

Airlie Beach Hotel – Party Night Saturday 11 August 2012 from 7:30pm

Airlie Beach Hotel joins the festive atmosphere of Telcoinabox Airlie Beach Race Week with live band 'Under the Radar' on Saturday 11 August from 7.30pm. Join the local party set at Capers and mix with sailors, visitors and locals in what will be one of the biggest nights of the week. Head over to the Airlie Beach Hotel once the marquee closes at the Whitsunday Sailing Club and dine a la carte at Capers, go Mexican at Cactus Jacks or enjoy the best wood-fired pizzas at Mangrove Jacks. Don’t miss this great night of partying, but try and keep ‘under the radar’.

Village Cafe Tropical Hot Rock Party - Sunday 12 August from 6pm

Yearning for a great steak and cold beer after a hard day sailing? Put on your tropical shirt and join the Tropical Hot Rock Pre Lay Day Party on Sunday 12 August from 6pm until late. Live music and specials including the 400g Black Angus rump for just $19.95 or a succulent Tasmanian eye fillet for just $23.95. A full dinner menu will be available including the launch of the seriously yummy 'Icy Rock' boutique ice creams. Make the most of your pre-lay day evening in Airlie Beach.

Village Cafe Restaurant and Bar Lay Day Recovery Breakfast - Monday 13 August All Day

Recover all day with the best breakfast menu in town. 10% discount for all Race Week competitors, family and friends. Extensive menu and the best coffee, smoothies and fresh juices...or another beer!

Ladies Lazy Long Lunch - Whitsunday Sailing Club Tuesday 14 August 12:30 – 3:30pm

Enjoy a cruisy afternoon at this Ladies Lazy Long Lunch on the balcony at the Whitsunday Sailing Club. Indulge in ‘Savvy and Seafood’ with a few girlfriends while the rest of the crew get on with the serious job of racing. Featuring Yalumba wines and the best choice of local seafood.

Mama Africa’s After Party - Thursday 16 August from 10pm to late

Let your hair down at Mama Africa’s After party on Thursday 16 August from 10pm ‘till late. Let off steam and relax after a gruelling week of racing and socialising. Celebrate your wins with a cocktail, forget your losses and dance the night away. Go wild on your last night in Airlie Beach. Mama Africa welcomes all competitors and friends. Come and enjoy one last night at the best bar and Niteclub in town.