Please select your home edition
Edition
Sea Sure 2025

SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week: Entries sold out in 12 minutes!

by Di Pearson/SMIRW media 4 Mar 2024 12:33 AEDT 29 August - 4 September 2024
Akarana (yellow kite) in the Around the Island Race - - SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week © Andrea Francolini

Entries opened for Townsville Yacht Club's (TYC) SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week on Friday amid a flurry of activity, the much loved event was sold out in an unprecedented 12 minutes - minus a few seconds.

"It was incredible," a stunned Event Chairman, Mike Steel said of the 17th running of the regatta, to be held from 29 August to 4 September in 2024.

"Last year it took 15 minutes, the year before it was just under four hours.

"We feel so fortunate that competitors have taken our annual event to heart over the last few years. It's nice to see regulars mixed with those who return when they can, along with fresh faces every year. They make our event," Steel said.

You had to be quick off the mark and Tim Campbell from Victoria was fastest. His Corby 25, Private Equity, was the first entry received.

"I was sitting at my computer waiting to go into Top Yacht," Campbell said. You had wait for the link to come up. When it did, I clicked straight away. Hopefully that's an omen," he said, hopeful of repeating his winning experience of last year.

"We love it there," continued Campbell. "I'll drive up from Melbourne trailing the boat (a Corby 25) again. I'll have the same crew from last year."

Among the familiar faces will be locals Vicki Hamilton with her Farr 1104, Akarana and Leon Thomas with his Shaw 650 Guilty Pleasures X, along with James Permezel's Hanse 445, Charm Offensive. Permezel hails from Victoria but has a business and residence on Magnetic Island these days, so spends most his time there.

Returning after a seven-year break are Colin and Denise Wilson with Never a Dull Moment from Sydney. The pair was last here in 2017, but as Colin says, "It's the happiest regatta in Australia, with the friendliest people."

Malcolm Roe, on the other hand, is yet to experience the regatta. Roe, owner of the Swan 45, Amazingrace, said, "I was so happy to get in. I was sitting at my computer for the previous hour waiting... I'm delighted. This is my first time to the regatta. I've heard it's very good. I can't wait," he ended.

This year entries represent Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

Major stakeholders of the event, SeaLink, Townsville City Council, Peppers Blue on Blue Resort, Tourism and Events Queensland and Magnetic Island Marina are overjoyed at the interest the event continues to attract.

Competitors are drawn to the distinctive regatta for so many reasons. Rolling off the SeaLink ferry at Maggie Island, it is a one-minute stroll to Peppers Blue on Blue where all the action emanates from.

For Race Week, Peppers becomes Peppers Race Headquarters. Most competitors and officials stay and have their meals there. The marina is part of the package and the racecourse is a five minute motor away where Principal Race Officer, Denis Thompson and his volunteers, are ready to start races in this beautiful part of the world.

The daily post-race prize-giving is also held at Peppers Race Headquarters where the music flows after a video recap of the day's action. Hosted by Scotty Hillier, it is a lot of fun. TYC also organises lots of other fun activities, especially on lay day, which coincides with Father's Day.

As a bonus, IGA is a stone's throw from the resort, as is the local bottle shop, with many restaurants within walking distance. If you fancy a short bus ride, there are other great restaurants dotted around the pretty and unspoilt island.

Why wouldn't you want to be there?

For all information including list of entries please visit: www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au.

Related Articles

SMIRW sold out in a record 10 minutes!
You have to be quick with the fingers to be one of the lucky ones Yes, you are reading correctly, SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week entry opened and was sold out in a record 10 minutes flat - you have to be quick with the fingers to be one of the lucky ones attending Australia's 'must do' regatta at the end of autumn Posted on 4 Mar
SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week overall
Scores tallied, winners declared, as conditions dictated there would be no further racing SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week 2024 ended abruptly this morning as conditions dictated there would be no further racing and therefore winners were declared based on overnight's pointscores at another wonderful week of sailing. Posted on 4 Sep 2024
SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week Day 4
Perfect day for Round the Island Race Zen (NSW) has taken the overall lead of Spinnaker Division 1 on Day 4 at SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week (SMIRW) 2024, in The Yacht Sales Co. Race Day Round the Island Race Posted on 3 Sep 2024
SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week Day 3
A change of pace and winners Layday at SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week 2024 was enjoyed by all yesterday, but today it was back to serious business for 'It's Live in Queensland Race Day', when Division 1 and the Sports Boats were put through their paces. Posted on 2 Sep 2024
People you meet, SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week
The much loved annual event is as eclectic as ever Two balmy days of sailing away at SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week 2024 and the fleet at TYC much loved annual event is as eclectic as ever, as Olympians and other champions mix it with regulars, internationals, newcomers and club sailors. Posted on 1 Sep 2024
SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week Day 2
More breeze made a difference There were cries of "My handicap has been crucified," this morning at SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week 2024, after some boats scored huge wins in yesterday's Tan Lines Distilling Race Day, one claiming, "we were just lucky in the light air Posted on 31 Aug 2024
SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week Day 1
A nice light day to start proceedings The opening day of SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week 2024 was not to everyone's liking, as it was a little light on for breeze, but you couldn't otherwise fault the beautiful warm and sunny day and flat water that was served up to the competitors. Posted on 30 Aug 2024
Delights of SMIRW don't begin and end with sailing
SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week 2024 sold out in an unprecedented 12 minutes SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week 2024 sold out in an unprecedented 12 minutes - minus a few seconds - but it's more than the sailing that attracts competitors, their families and friends to this quaint island paradise. Posted on 24 Jul 2024
SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week Day 5
Around the Island Race caps off another magic week What a way to finish 2023 SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week (SMIRW), the stronger breeze everyone has longed for kicked in and because of it, competitors got to do the much anticipated Around the Island Race,. Posted on 6 Sep 2023
SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week Day 4
Breeze picks up and spirits lift Another hard one for Principal Race Officer Denis Thompson and his team at 2023 SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week (SMIRW), as light fluky airs necessitated three course changes from Around the Island to a race to White Rock. Posted on 5 Sep 2023
Pantaenius Sail 2025 AUS FooterSea Sure 2025Barton Marine Pipe Glands