The 35th Airlie Beach Race Week is full steam ahead, with over 163 registrations this year and 152 yachts expected to jostle for best position in the mass-start event this Friday morning.
“It’s all happening down at the Sailing Club,” said Race Week Manager, Ross Chisholm.
“This week so many boats have been sailing up the coast or travelling by road and the Sailing Club is a hive of activity!
“Spectators can see the start from anywhere on the shoreline and, as soon as the gun goes off, they with be heading north to Double Cone, hopefully under spinnaker.”
Previously Airlie Beach Race Week would see around 120 yachts competing but for the past few years they have been consistently above 150, a record that organisers are proud to achieve.
While the competition and the camaraderie are centred around the 16 different divisions participating in the event, the lively social evenings and jovial nautical culture offer something for everyone in the community.
“The Festival Village on the Sailing Club Lawn will have live music and a host of food stalls every evening aside from lay day,” said Whitsunday Sailing Club Manager, Robin Ross.
“The 20 Degrees South Bar and Restaurant is also open all week.
“We are really looking forward to seeing everyone enjoy Race Week this year and would love all the locals to come on down and take part in all the fun!”
WHAT: Airlie Beach Race Week
WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club
WHEN: 10-17 August
LOCALS FAVOURITES:
• Watch the start at 10am Friday morning
• Live music from 7pm every night (aside from Monday)
• Long Table Lunch Sunday on the balcony from 12pm
• Fireworks on Thursday, August 17 at 8pm
