2019 Quicksilver Port Douglas Race Week at Port Douglas Yacht Club to be held on 21-25 May
by Robyn Shelly 3 May 2019 20:58 PDT
21-25 May 2019
Even the tropics has a grey day during Quicksilver Port Douglas Race Week © Robyn Shelly
With just over two weeks to go Quicksilver Port Douglas Race Week is shaping up to be a great celebration for the 25th annual regatta for the North Queensland club, nestled under the palms on Dickson Inlet in beautiful Port Douglas.
Entries are still flowing in and the organisers are working hard on all aspects of the celebration at the club whose motto 'This Club was Built for Fun' is something taken very seriously by the club and it's members. Entertainment has been arranged every night of the regatta. Sydney Hobart might be two parties with a yacht race in between but Port Douglas is a party every night. Fun to be had on and off the water.
The club is pleased to welcome back Race Officials Greg Sinclair (Australian Sailing National Race Officer) and Lister Hughes (Australian Sailing International Judge). They have been integral Race Week for the past few years and keep coming back for more!
The original club regatta was held in conjunction with Port Douglas Carnivale and known as the Quicksilver Carnivale Regatta. Both events are celebrating their silver jubilee this year. Platinum regatta sponsor Quicksilver is also celebrating their 40th year of operation on the Great Barrier Reef. The club is proud to be associated with Quicksilver again.
Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas will be the home of the visitors coming from Cairns, Townsville and further abroad. The facilities at the Port Douglas marina are first class and it is just across the water from the clubhouse for convenience.
Last year's regatta was a huge success and all three division winning skipper's from last year have signed up again. Although well-known sailmaker Mal Richardson is debuting in Division 2 this year with his new Farr 44 Kahukura where he will face strong competition from last year's winner Callista 1 skippered by Ron Knott and Helen and Mick Gwilliams' Lady Mystique, winner in this division in 2017.
Previous winners in division 1 from years gone by Wayne Millar's Zoe and Tony Muller's Brava have lined up again along with some other well-known faces. PDYC's own Shazam skippered by former Commodore and Life Member Doug Ryan is also coming home to challenge. So Division 1 is shaping up to be a cracker.
Port Douglas is only a small club in comparison to many along the coast but it is uniquely placed on the Great Barrier Reef and it extends its friendly vibe to all who pass through, cruisers and racers alike. Come and join the best club in the north with the regatta that is the most fun you will ever have sailing the winds of Paradise. May 21 25, 2019
Entries are still open at www.portdouglasraceweek.com.au
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