Race Week To Wow Locals And Visitors In 27th Year

A highlight on the Australian sailing fraternity’s calendar, Airlie Beach Race Week is set to shine in its 27th year.

Offering an exciting mix of on water action and evening entertainment, this truly is an event for everyone and not just those who sail.

Marketing director Adrian Bram described the week-long sailing sensation as “spectacular”.

“Everything kicks off at around 9am with the parade of yachts leaving from both Abell Point Marina and Port of Airlie, complete with their battle flags flying,” he said. “Once the spinnakers are set, even if you don’t know anything about sailing, it’s simply stunning; it looks like there’s 134 balloons out there on the blue on blue.”

With 134 entries so far, organisers are ecstatic to see a record breaking Airlie Beach Race Week.

“Racers have come from all over Australia and as far away as New Zealand and Hong Kong,” Mr Bram said.

“That ranges from the performance racing yachts through to trailable yachts.

“In fact, we’re hosting the National Trailable Yacht Championships this year.” As the starting siren sounds from 10am this Friday, spectators can expect to see “a feast of colour” from the foreshore.

And after watching the racers take to the water, there’s plenty to see and do at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.

“The onshore Festival of Sailing this year will have the best line up of music that we have ever had, a long lunch on the lawn, wine show, fantastic food stalls, fun run, an outrigger challenge and, of course, great sailing,” chairman Tim Parker said.

“And all this (entertainment) is happening right on the foreshore at sunset,” Mr Bram added.