Nautica and Northshore join for Hahn Premium Race Week

by Event Media on 21 Aug 2004 Sydney Harbour’s weekend yacht racing warriors have been few and far between of late. This is due to the annual migration of the racing community up north to compete in the northern racing program which enables the serious racers to enjoy winter racing in shorts and t-shirt temperatures.

On Friday, 20th August, more than 1,800 sailors will converge on the glorious Whitsunday Island’s Hamilton Island for eight days of racing in the Hahn Premium Race Week regatta.

Held out of the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, in its 21st year the regatta is regarded as one of the finest offshore race regattas in the world with over 170 yachts competing including entries from Australia, New Zealand, America, and Europe.

The week features five classes for competitive racing yachts and four classes for more leisurely racers – all being as equally competitive.

‘All up it's a first class hot fleet and there promises to be some great racing in all divisions’ says Regatta Director Warwick Hoban.

One of this year's entries sees the partnership, for the first time, of two well known yachting brands, Nautica Footwear and Northshore Yachts. Nautica Footwear have come onboard as prime sponsor for Sydney yachting identity Geoff Pearson and his racing crew of eight and the newly named Northshore 369 yacht ‘Nautica Footwear’.

‘Hamilton Island draws World Class yachtsmen and yachtswomen from all over the globe, Nautica Footwear is a World Class brand, I could not think of a better mix’ said Lee Campbell, Brand Manager, Nautica Footwear.

‘It was a natural fit’ says Melinda Aldridge, crew member on Nautica Footwear, ‘Nautica has always had a presence within the sailing community and this partnership shows their commitment when it comes to putting back into the sport’ she continued.

In addition to the full Nautica crew uniform the crew will also be wearing the latest racing shoe to be released from the company, named St Trop featuring a Vibram non-slip, non-marking sole. The team have already had a chance to put the shoes through their paces with lead up training days out on Sydney Harbour and are happy to report ‘a superb grip on deck, which is great, as we don’t want anyone going into the drink!’ said Pearson.