Airlie Beach Race draws big field

Hosted by Whitsunday Sailing Club, Abell Point Marina Airlie Beach Race Week has attracted some 110 boats and approximately 700 crew, plus their friends and family, to the region to take part in 6 days of jam-packed sailing in the Whitsundays.

After hitting 100 entries late last week, regatta chairman Rob Davis said it was comforting to see the regatta has maintained a high reputation over the last 23 years.

“This year is no different – the town will be a hive of activity for the next few weeks’, with a series of events set to have a huge impact on the local region,” Mr Davis said.

The 24th annual regatta will feature plenty of exciting racing, including the Australian Multihull Championships and competitors vying for the Queensland Season of Sailing Cup.

As the main sponsor of the seven-day event, Abell Point Marina owner Paul Darrouzet said, “It is great to see a strong number of competitors participating in the race week and we look forward to welcoming all race week participants, friends and family into the marina”.

Mr Davis said this year’s regatta will feature a popular radio breakfast host as the MC, a fine art exhibition on Sunday and the tropical lay day on Tuesday, as well as six days of exciting racing on the water.

“We want the community to get behind the spectator side of sailing, join in the events at the club, or just come to Airlie Beach to enjoy the number of exciting events over the week,” Mr Davis said.

Abell Point Marina Airlie Beach Race Week will run from 9-16 August, followed by the Whitsunday Reef Festival, Great Whitsunday Fun Race, Hamilton Island Race Week and the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club Rendezvous.

For further information, please visit www.airlieraceweek.com