The Whitsundays will be the epicentre of the global sailing community as the region welcomes the exhilarating Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
The experience on board during Race 5: The Whitsundays, Heart of the Great Barrier Reef is one the crews will remember. On Day 14 of the race, the teams reported the anticipated conditions of the area, namely the Southerly Busters and unpredictable currents which have led to some tactical routing decisions. Whilst teams closest to shore have experienced the effects of the southeast coast’s devastating bushfires providing challenging and saddening conditions.
A tight finish is predicted, with the yachts currently bunched together as they race up the east coast of Australia headed for The Whitsundays, Heart of the Great Barrier Reef.
Once they arrive in The Whitsundays, the crews, their families and friends, will enjoy the weeklong Whitsundays Clipper Race Carnival, with a raft of events taking place right across the region.
Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer Tash Wheeler said the region is ready to welcome the crews upon their arrival into Coral Sea Marina Resort.
“The Whitsundays Clipper Race Carnival is a key event in driving visitation to the region, we’re primed and ready to welcome our visiting guests. We can’t wait to get the carnival started,” she said.
“The events will kick off with the iconic White on Whitehaven by Fish D’vine, a long table lunch on the pristine silica sands of Whitehaven Beach, on Whitsunday Island this Saturday the 11th of January,”
“This will be followed by a free community welcome event which will take place on the new Airlie Beach foreshore the following day providing an opportunity for the local community to show the warm Whitsundays hospitality the region is known for,” she said.
While many of the Clipper events revolved around Airlie Beach and the islands, Mayor Andrew Willcox said the arrival of the Clippers provided the perfect opportunity to showcase the broader Whitsunday region to the world.
“An example is the Rodeo by the Reef on the Bowen foreshore which was a huge hit and a sell-out in 2018.
“Bowen will become the Heart of Rodeo and the Heart of the Reef on January 18 and I am expecting we will again draw over 3000 for a night of cowboy action.
“The Clipper Carnival turns the international global spotlight on Bowen with a truly unique event,” Mayor Willcox said.
“As this was a sold-out event last time it was staged I urge everyone to book their tickets early to avoid missing out as crowd numbers are limited.”
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the only race of its kind and matches experienced skippers with novice sailors for the race, which starts and ends in London in the UK and takes in Uruguay, South Africa, Australia, China, the USA, and Northern Ireland. Crew members – who come from all over the world – can take part in just one leg or every leg of the 11-month long race around the globe.
With tickets selling quickly be sure to secure your Whitsundays Clipper Race Carnival experience.
For more information and to book tickets for the events please visit www.whitsundayclipperrace.com.au.
