Bumper fleet expected for 40th Hamilton Island Race Week
by Lisa Ratcliff 13 Mar 23:40 PDT
16-23 August 2025
Stunning conditions at Hamilton Island Race Week 2024 © Salty Dingo
Two Australian sailing drawcards are expected to generate bumper fleets and an increased international presence when Hamilton Island Race Week in August marks 40 years and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in December marks 80.
Numbers are climbing quickly for the milestone 40th Hamilton Island Race Week, August 16 - 23. A hundred plus entries have been lodged including a Californian based JPK 11.8 called Bacchanal and a first generation TP52 from New Zealand called V5.
The Race Week Notice of Race is published and owners and skippers can enter here.
To cater for the extra domestic and international interest in the 40th Race Week celebrations, the marina capacity has been increased to 215 regatta boats.
The 100th entry is Scott Mutton and his South Australian Austral Farr 42 IRC called 3 Cool Cats. To celebrate his 60th birthday year Mutton has drawn up a busy east coast campaign that includes the feeder races north, Hamilton Island Race Week and the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
"I've been to Hamilton Island Race Week a few times on charter boats," Mutton said. "I always wanted to do Race Week with my own boat; I never really wanted to do the Sydney Hobart but decided to put them together and do the whole kit and caboodle."
Mutton's had no issue finding willing crew for his extended 60th birthday adventure. "When you mention Hamilton Island Race Week and Sydney Hobart, two of the biggest sailing events in Australia, suddenly acquaintances become best friends!"
Competing and upholding the Oatley family's strong ties to the event will be Sandy Oatley with his RP66 Wild Oats X, skippered by Mark Richards. The Oatley family are Hamilton Island custodians and Sandy Oatley is a keen sailor, dedicated competitor of 23 Race Weeks and multiple winner.
Hamilton Island will celebrate the special 40th Race Week with commemorative displays and a look back at the key players who were instrumental in the conception and inaugural regatta in 1984, when an impressive 93 yachts contested the debut event.
Island CEO Nick Dowling said: "Hamilton Island Race Week has long been a highlight of the Australian sailing calendar and as we celebrate its 40th year, it's fantastic to see such a strong response from sailors both here and abroad.
"With entries filling fast and an exciting line-up of celebrations planned, we look forward to welcoming sailors to experience everything that makes Race Week so special. And for those internationals heading south for the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, we hope they'll take the opportunity to first line up against some of Australia's best at this milestone event."
Hamilton Island Race Week's standing on the southern hemisphere racing calendar and 40th year celebrations will draw owners and crew to sail, ship, truck and tow their boats to the picturesque location, with its stunning island courses and reliable winter trade winds. Sailors can fly direct from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne via all the major carriers.
All the details are available on the Race Week website and socials.
2024 Hamilton Island Race Week video highlights here.
More history on Hamilton Island Race Week here.