Classic Division at Hamilton Island Race Week 2021: Are you in?

This morning sws spoke with hirw regatta director, denis thompson and asked the question: "Denis, what would it take to get a Classic Division at Hamilton Island in 2021?" His reply? "It only takes seven."

You're on Denis! So there we have it, we only need seven boats to have our own division. And with Fair Winds committing this morning, now we only need six more. But to make it interesting, let's aim for 20!

Here's our shared goal - Twenty classic boats at HIRW21.

Of course for the curmudgeons amongst us, August is a long way away and as 2020 showcased in spectacular fashion, anything can happen. However as sailors we also know, time spent in preparation is seldom wasted. Who doesn't dream of sailing in t-shirts? Dodging whales on kite runs? Racing around islands rather than markers? Spending one of the best weeks imaginable with your friends?

Aerial view of the Dent Passage - Hamilton Island Race Week - photo © Andrea Francolini

Having taken part in a few Race Weeks, there's very little that beats waking up after a night spent sitting on a balcony with a glass of wine, over looking the marina, debriefing the day before, sharing breakie, then wandering down to the Marina in your kit, with a bit of lunch and doing it all again. I love it.

What you'll also now find in, the age of Pangolin's breath, is that cancellation policies have become incredibly flexible. I speak from personal experience, responsible for arranging accommodation for 12 in 2020, when I say deposits are openly refunded and/or dates can easily be rescheduled. Build solid relationships with your booking agents and you can't go wrong.

The famous S&S Dorade - Hamilton Island Race Week - photo © Andrea Francolini

And there's more

The more Classic Boats we get, the bigger our division, the stronger our message, the bigger our parties. If we are able to establish a Classics Division you can rest assured that SWS will be there on the quay to thank you, with a flag for your rigging and invitations for you and your crew to a number of exclusive events.

Denis Thompson indicated entries will open in the next couple of weeks. At this stage the website will not indicate Classics as it's own division. If you were to register, you'd be doing so under Hamilton Island Class.

However, all we need is an email from you indicating an Intention To Race and if we receive +7 the website will be expanded accordingly.

so, a classic yacht division at Hamilton Island Race Week 2021, are you in?

More information at hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au

This article has been republished by permission from southernwoodenboatsailing.com

Fair Winds in the Fitzalan Passage - Hamilton Island Race Week - photo © Andrea Francolini