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Archive: 10 October 2009
with Scotty Hillier
Since 1984, boats from across the globe have sailed into the Whitsundays for a regatta, which has grown to become the jewel in the crown of the Australian sailing calendar. The 2009 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week saw a fleet of 194 yachts compete over seven days, between the 22nd and 29th of August.
More than 2000 crew take part in the event, which involves more than 180 nautical miles of ocean racing, with the entire Whitsunday group of islands providing a spectacular and challenging setting.
Yachts are broadly divided into two main groups, racing and cruising, with a handful of sub-classes within them. And just to keep things interesting there’s also a complex handicap system, which levels out the field, making it possible for any boat in the fleet to win the regatta.
Overall it was Michael Hiatt’s Living Doll that took out the 2009 Regatta, inheriting one of the most coveted titles in Australian sailing. Grand Prix Division 2, went to Rod Jones’ Allegria. The win also secured them the national Audi IRC Championship, which comes with a brand new Audi A6 all-road Quattro.
While in the just-as-valuable bragging rights stakes Mark Richard and Bob Oatley aboard Wild Oats managed to outscore Black Jack and take Gun Boat trophy in a thrilling final race.
If you’ve ever considered checking out Race Week, then put serious consideration to getting along in 2010, it’ll be on from August 20-28. If you’d like to jump aboard a boat in 2010, there are places available on the former Sydney to Hobart winning, Condor.
Contact:
Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2010
August 20-28
hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au
Condor
Contact Dave Molloy
0418 442 925
www.prosail.com.au
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