Cracker Night at Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week © Meridien Marinas www.meridin.com.au

Set up along the Airlie Beach foreshore from 6pm until late, the Fantasea Cracker Night will include food stalls, glow in the dark novelties, jumping castle and Spin the Wheel with fantastic prizes to be won during the evening; all great fun for competitors and their families.

For those visitors not racing, Fantasea is offering offer discounts on trips to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven beach during race week.

“Tickets to the Reef are being cut by almost $50 so I expect tourists to come to Airlie to watch the yacht racing, enjoy the party in town and then take a cruise to the magnificent Whitsundays,” McCart says.

Saturday 16 August

After Saturday’s racing competitors and their supporters will be able to enjoy the hospitality of Meridien Marinas and the Whitsunday Sailing Club at the regatta headquarters. Live music, cool drinks and the daily prize-giving will all be on offer.

Sunday 17 August

Sunday’s big event which will have the town humming will be the Parrot Head Party hosted by the Airlie Beach Hotel and held on the esplanade outside the hotel.

General Manager Mark Bell says the Jimmy Buffett inspired party is the perfect fit for Race Week.

“We will have a calypso, reggae theme this year. We will even have a guy from Trinidad and Tobago doing three sets and of course, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band,” Bell said.

Food stalls showcasing the best of Airlie’s restaurants will line the Esplanade which will be closed off for the party starting at 5pm.

“The cover charge to enter the party is only $3 and we are expecting more than 1500 people decked out in Hawaiian shirts, flip-flops and board shorts, or perhaps grass skirts and coconut bras,” he says.

Monday 18 August

Monday is a day of rest, for some. Boat and sail repairs may be on the top of the list for some of the competitors, while for others a quiet day with family and friends will be in order. Some of the competitors may even take the chance to hire a car for a day out of town or take advantage of Fantasea Cruises discount offer taking their family out to the reef for the day.

In the evening regatta skippers and navigators will get together to enjoy cocktails.

Tuesday 19 August

Tuesday’s Partners Long Lunch is something special for the partners of the skippers and crew. This is a new edition to the Airlie Beach Race Week social program. Partners will be able to meet up in a relaxing environment to enjoy a long lunch and fun entertainment in a magic location in Airlie Beach.

Wolverines ready to party at Airlie Beach in 2008 ! © SW

Competitors back onshore after a hard day of racing better hang on to their hats as the Wolverines are back in town. “The Wolverines are fired up for Airlie Beach after a stint entertaining the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. They’ll have the marquee jumping after a hard day on the water,” McCart says.

Wednesday 20 August

The Fantasea Daydream Island Partners Cruise is a chance for partners and their children to enjoy a day on Daydream Island. After a champagne cruise to the island, there will the opportunity for partners to relax around the pool and enjoy a sumptuous lunch. Or, for those in need of serious spoiling, Daydream will be offering special prices for facials and make-up sessions.

The Captain’s Sunset Cruise, hosted by platinum sponsor Fantasea, will again be turning on canapés and beverages onboard the luxury Ammari for the boat owners and their partners. Guests will be able to enjoy the two-hour evening cruise along the coastline of Airlie Beach on the 60-metre, 32 cabin cruise ship.

Thursday 21 August

Thursday is the final day of racing. The results are in, the bets are no doubt been won, lost and settled, and the competitors are ready to party up a storm in Airlie Beach.

Once the regatta prize giving is completed, the final party at the Abel Point Marina race headquarters will be led by the Wolverines with their foot-stamping, all-out, have a ‘bloody’ good time music. It is going to be a great party – lots of loud singing, mad dancing and celebration after another magic Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week.

The Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week is a great place for competitors, both on and off the water. It is an even better place for partners and families. With so much to choose from, whether it is partying, relaxing or touring, it is hard to see how anyone could not have a great time.

If you've not completed your online entries for this years regatta do it NOW!! at www.airliebeachraceweek.com.au

Event Details
Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week
14 - 21 August 2008

Key Dates
Entries close: Friday 8 August
Registration: Thursday 14 August
Racing commences: Friday 15 August
Final race day and trophy presentation: Thursday 21 August click here Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week

Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week Social Program

* Cruises will be dependent on numbers