SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week 2014- local entries push up numbers

by Tracey Johnstone on 22 May 2014 Townsville sailors came out in force yesterday to swell the number of entries for this year’s SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week, to be held from 28th August through to 2nd September.

The event host, Townsville Yacht Club, conducted a Registration Night at the club as an innovative way to get the local sailors to commit earlier than usual to participating in Race Week.

Organising committee member, Mike Steel, reported 14 entries were received. This takes the number of local entries up to 16 with another 15 at least still to complete their paperwork. 'I think the Volvo prize is an incentive for the guys that signed up last night.

'We are well ahead on entry numbers at this point,' Steel said.

Ross Gordon, Volvo Trucks Townsville branch manager, is pleased that the sponsored Volvo prize has helped to drive early entries. 'I understand how hard it can be sometimes to get people to commit early to an event so Volvo is pleased to be able to help out Race Week by providing an early entry incentive.

'I think this fantastic opportunity to win tickets to get up so close to the Auckland stop-over action is a great incentive. The Volvo Ocean Race is the pre-eminent round-the-world yacht race. I can’t imagine any sailor not wanting to win this prize,' Gordon said.

For those boat owners that took advantage of the early registration, each of them received three tickets in the draw to win two tickets to Auckland for the Volvo Ocean Race stopover in March 2015 which is the powerful Volvo 65 blue-water racing machines arrive into town.

The winning boat owner will receive two tickets to be on-board the Volvo spectator boat for Volvo Ocean Race 2014/15 Auckland In-Port Race on 14th March. Food and beverages on-board the spectator boat will be included as well as a fabulous group dinner afterwards. The prize also includes a flight voucher to the value of $1,000 and four-night’s accommodation in Auckland.

Race Week entries received between now and the 30th June receive three tickets in the draw. Between the 1st July and 31st July, entries will receive two tickets, while entries received after that will receive only one ticket.

The prize is supplied courtesy of Volvo Commercial Vehicles, Dufour Yachts Antill Marine and SeaLink.

The Notice of Race and the online entry for the nine divisions is at www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au. Entries close Friday 22nd August 2014.

Magnetic Island Race Week is hosted by Townsville Yacht Club. Sponsored by SeaLink. Supported by Magnetic Island Marina, City of Townsville, Yachting Queensland and Townsville Enterprise.