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Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week entries coming in fast
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9:53 PM Tue 25 May 2010 GMT
The number of entries is well ahead of the same time last year says Regatta Director Denis Thompson. ‘We could be heading for our biggest. There is a considerable buzz around the Sports Boat fleet; we have the Super 30’s and the new racing multihulls division set to take numbers towards a record fleet. ‘A clue, from an organisational point of view, is that we are ordering 140 sets of skipper’s bags, bows sticker and flags.’ Certainly there is a lot of interest at all levels. The IRC Racing Class goes from strength to strength as more of the top IRC contenders realise that a week of tight racing dramatically improves their competitiveness at Hamilton Island. High profile New Zealander Jim Farmer QC is bringing his IRC optimised TP52, Georgia and Ray Roberts will again have his Cookson 50 Evolution Racing at Airlie Beach. He commented this week ‘Having made the effort to get the boat from down south all the way up to the Whitsundays, it just makes sense to do both Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island regattas and it certainly produces better results at Hamilton.’ Michael Hiatt will be bringing his Farr 50 Living Doll up from Melbourne again. ‘We are looking forward to another great event. This event is very sailing friendly. One of the things Denis Thompson has agreed to do is to hold the IRC fleet ashore until breeze is in and we can sail late - to maximise good racing time.’ In recent years Airlie Beach Race Week has been benefiting because its naming right sponsor Meridien Marinas is one of the largest investors in Airlie Beach and the CEO Russell McCart is a very keen yachtsman, who also happens to be the Commodore of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Russell McCart. ‘From a business side we have a major commitment to Airlie Beach, beyond Abel Point Marina, where Race Week is held; we are amongst the biggest investors in the Whitsundays along with the Oatleys on Hamilton Island. The two groups recognise that this is a unique part of the world. It’s the way, pretty much, nature made it. It’s a wonderful place to go to and do a little bit of racing and have a good time too. 'From the sailing side. Airlie Beach Race Week just keeps getting stronger. ‘I an enthusiastic about having multhulls racing at Race Week 2010. I have sailed the West Indies circuit a few times in my youth and the multihull racing was wonderful and we’d like to see that class really grow. 'We are seeing more and more class interest - Sports Boats, SB3s, now multihulls.' 'This is a great regatta, top class sailing and great fun. We are all just looking forward to having a great 21st birthday party.' Make sure you get your entry in as soon as possible www.airliebeachraceweek.com.au
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