A TOTAL of 11 boats headed to Hamilton Island last weekend to compete in the Hamilton Island Cup.
The two day regatta, run by the Hamilton Island Cruising Yacht Club (HICYC), was hailed a great success.
HICYC vice commodore Barney Thomas said about 300 people took part in the shore-side celebrations on Saturday night.
“And the weather came good and everyone was in good spirits,” he said.
Mr Thomas said the regatta consisted of two windward-leeward races off Catseye Beach on Saturday and a race around Henning Island on Sunday.
The fleet was divided into two divisions, with Airlie Beach-based boats doing well in both.
In Division 1, Rising Farrst raced consistently well over the two days, beating the tricky tides and scoring a deserving win.
In Division 2 it was Kameruka who took out the top spot.
Mr Thomas praised race officer Tim Parker for setting challenging yet enjoyable courses.
Overall, he described the regatta as “a lot of fun”.
“It was just an awesome turnout and an excellent vibe,” he said.
Mr Thomas said the yacht club intended to run the regatta as an annual event with plans to make it bigger and better next year.
Meanwhile, Rising Farrst owner and Abell Point Yacht Club (APYC) rear commodore Tim Osborne thanked the HICYC, his crew and all the sponsors, for making this year’s Hamilton Island Cup a great event.
Next on the local sailing calendar is an APYC rum race this Friday, with participants asked to gather at Sorrento Bar and Restaurant from 3pm.
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