Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sails was a light weather regatta - race officials were even forced to abandon all attempts at racing yesterday - and for a short time it looked likely to happen again today, but just after 11am all that changed.
The weather gods smiled, answering competitors' prayers in the Whitsunday Sailing Club hosted event, a light zephyr of breeze filtering across Pioneer Bay in time to start a bay course.
Day 5 at Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing hosted by Whitsunday Sailing Club (WSC) and the forecast was not good for racing – barely a breath of wind on a glassed out Pioneer Bay, forcing PRO, Denis Thompson to raise the AP at 8.30am.
Thompson held the fleet and officials ashore and hoped by 10.30am to deliver better news, but no, and no again at 12pm, finally at 1pm, racing was cancelled: “The breeze is not consistent enough for the whole fleet,” Thompson said.
Airlie Beach Race Week: Light on for breeze and a change of plan
The sun came out in force, but the going was light on Day 4 of Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing hosted by Whitsunday Sailing Club, making it difficult for race officials to get racing away.
It wasn’t until after 1pm the nine divisions were away at five minute intervals, so spot of whale watching was on the agenda as the 11am start time came and went.
Trainee doctors versus champion skiffies at Airlie Beach Race Week
It has come to light that there is a bit of a return grudge match going on at Whitsunday Sailing Club’s Airlie Beach Race Week, with a group of experienced skiffies again taking on a boat load of medical students in Cruising Division 1 on two illustrious yachts.
Last year, Hammer of Queensland had it all over Helsal 3, finishing second overall to Helsal’s 16th.
G’Nome flies in for Airlie Beach Race Week
Desperate times call for desperate measures – so when you haven’t missed Airlie Beach Race Week for 15 years and you don’t want to change the trend you don’t let obstacles stand in your way – just ask Terry Archer, owner of the Grainger 075, G’Nome.
Mark Skelton forsook the Barbados and the 2017 OK Dinghy World Championship just so he could finally attend Airlie Beach Race Week – and so far it has paid in spades – two wins from two races.
Day 1 at Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing hosted by Whitsunday Sailing Club got off to a fabulous start – lots of sun and a light breeze for entrants to ease into the competition.
Sailing in light airs, the entire fleet contested the Double Cones course, with the IRC Passage boats away first, followed by Multihull Racing and Performance divisions, with the rest following suit at five minute intervals, the Trailer Yachts brigade last away.
The official Line 7 range of Airlie Beach Race Week clothing is now available to order on line. Last year these items were sold out within days, so don't miss out this year. The official clothing booth will be manned throughout the regatta, however the entire range can be ordered in advance to ensure delivery for pick up when you get to the club. For further details click here
Be part of the action and watch the racing close up from the deck of a new, luxury 48’ Leopard Catamaran. Registered to carry up to 45 guests, the vessel has two outside ‘cockpit’ seating areas and expansive deck space. The large indoor saloon has a bar with comfortable lounges and panoramic views. The Skipper is a veteran yacht-racer with the knowledge and experience to safely position the vessel in the thick of the action. Easily accessible
Famous names and faces prepare for Airlie Beach Race Week showdown
Several famous boats and equally famous sailors with speed as their focus are ready for a showdown at Airlie Beach Race Week, to be held from 10 to 17 August 2017.
The Whitsunday Sailing Club’s annual Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing has enticed the likes of Andrew York who is bringing his latest sleek one-design keel boat from Sydney for the first time.
