Audi Hamilton Island Race Week entries top 100

by Rob Mundle on 22 Jun 2007 The entry list for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2007 has already topped 100 and is climbing fast at last count, there were 114 yachts registered across the seven divisions, and with two months to go before the action starts on August 18 there are plenty more to come.

As is always the case with Race Week, the strongest fleet numerically is the Cruising Division where 52 yachts have already been registered, and they come in all shapes and sizes, from Jim Shannon’s veteran S&S 34, Meltemi, out of Brisbane, through to the Pedrick 72, Nomadess, owned by another Queenslander, John McPherson.

The bulk of this fleet comprises production yachts, particularly from the Beneteau and Jeanneau stables. For Beneteau much interest will centre on the form of John Griffin’s new Oceanis 50, Apres Vous, while Dean Harrigan, of Big Kahuna fame, will be out to impress with his new Beneteau First 50, Playstation 3.

There will also be intrigue around the Beneteau First 47.7, Kioni, which has been entered by the ‘Escaped Aussies Syndicate’ out of San Francisco.

At the other end of the scale some intense competition is certain to come in the IRC Racing division with 11 of the 15 yachts entered so far measuring between 45ft and 55ft overall.

Former Race Week champion Bob Steel will make a welcome return to this competition with his recently acquired TP52, Quest, while the kiwi flag will be flown in division by Rob Bassett’s very successful Blakewell-White 52, Wired.

Regatta organisers are putting the finishing touches on some impressive changes to the face of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2007, changes that will ensure the ‘pleasure meter’ is fixed on maximum both on and off the water.

This year sees German luxury carmaker, Audi, taking naming rights for the first time. Audi is now the largest supporter of sailing in Australia and one of the company’s new initiatives has led to the creation of the four-event Audi IRC Australian Championship for ocean racing yachts. This championship will be decided during the final round at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2007.

Billed as 'The ‘Great’ Great Barrier Reef Island', the already highly acclaimed Hamilton Island resort is currently undergoing a major upgrade in accommodation and the development of new facilities. Among the new projects being undertaken are the establishment of a spectacular 18-hole golf course and the construction of the impressive Great Barrier Reef Yacht Club complex.

The first significant development under the new plan, a luxurious waterfront resort on the north-western corner of the island, will be unveiled during Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.

Anyone wanting further information can go to the new Audi Hamilton Island Race Week website: www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au