Sail Airlie Regatta

Avid sailors from across the state competed in the Sail Airlie Regatta which was held from the Whitsunday Sailing Club over the Easter long weekend.

There were 52 boats participating in the event which featured off beach sailing dinghies competing in four different categories.

The Queensland Arrow Boat Championships, the Mixed Mono Fleet which included Laser 4.7 and Laser Radials, the Junior Fleet of Open Skiffs, Sabos and Optimists, and finally the Green Fleet which was for young children who were learning to sail and were assisted in navigating the course.

There were 10 races held in each category and each lasted 60 to 70 minutes in total.

Those as young as seven were able to participate and 50 per cent of the competitors were under 18, including 12 local Whitsunday children from as far afield as Bowen and Hamilton Island.

Local lad, Joshua King, won his division in the Laser 4.7 category, fresh from his success in winning the Queensland title for the same division two weeks prior for the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.

Sail Airlie was sponsored by Tropical Rentals and owner, Kerrie Southee, presented the award for Best Sailor (on and off the water).

This was decided by race officials who voted on best sportsmanship over the weekend and Robert Deards took home the award.

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