Great Whitsunday Fun Race - New date announced

by Corrie Gardner on 26 Apr 2012 Great Whitsunday Fun Race, hosted by the Whitsunday Sailing Club, is being held on 18th August 2012. One of the special qualities of Airlie Beach is the overall party atmosphere of the town and one the highlights of their event calendar is the Great Whitsunday Fun Race.

This year the race has been moved to the weekend after Airlie Beach Race Week, to continue the fun and give visiting yachties another excuse to stay on in town and party. Not only is it a great day of racing but the after-party has created some legendary stories of its own!

The original aim of this race was to market Airlie Beach as the 'Mecca' for visiting yachts. The first race, in 1977, attracted 69 yachts out of a fleet of 98, including dinghies! The Fun Race has now become a favourite on the sailing calendar and traditions established include decorating decks and costumed crew, the 'Miss Figurehead' contest and the major trophy, an empty bottle of Mount Gay Rum mounted on a block of Mackay Cedar.

People can join in the race in all manner of sailing vessel or just come out on a spectator craft to enjoy the day. After the racing, join in the fantastic party on the shores of Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Sailing Club. Live bands, heaps of prizes, fun competitions and a wonderful atmosphere of mateship combine to make it a memorable day on and off the water.

Join in the regatta atmosphere of Airlie Beach Race Week and the Great Whitsunday Fun Race and create some ‘tall’ stories of your own for Whitsunday Sailing Club website