Boats Arriving For Airlie Beach Race Week

It’s mid-July and boats are already arriving for the 34th annual Airlie Beach Race Week which is due to take place from August 11 – 18.

With 152 boats already registered and an anticipated 2000 crew attending, the event is set to be the biggest in history with competitors arriving from as far afield as Tasmania, West Australia, Victoria and even one team from the ACT.

Race Director, Ross Chisholm said that the event is shaping up nicely.

“It’s been a challenging year to find berthing, but we are really pleased to be able to put on a regatta of this size!” he said.

“This is a huge boost for Airlie Beach, and it is going to be a huge injection into our economy.”

Many of the boats arriving now compete in the same circuit which kicks-off with the Sydney to Gold Coast Race followed by Brisbane to Hamilton Island and then over to Airlie Beach.

Airlie Beach Race Week is the biggest regatta on the Queensland mainland coast and will host 14 divisions – from catamarans to grand prix racers, cruiser racers and also the trailable yacht Queensland State Championships.

There are 50 different courses taking sailors around the Whitsunday Islands, with vessels travelling on average 25 miles per day.

Races depart at 10am and return late afternoon to pave way for the lively social evening at the Festival Village which is located on the front lawn of the Whitsunday Sailing Club.

Each evening food vans and live entertainment will create a party atmosphere at the Festival Village and the whole community is invited to come down.

During the event, a spectator boat will also be ferrying guests out to watch the race from the water so everyone can enjoy the action.

WHAT: Airlie Beach Race Week

WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club

WHEN: August 11 – 18‍

Wet and wild action on the water

Fun and festivity on land

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