Please select your home edition
Edition
RYA Membership

By sail, ship and land... all heading for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

by Rob Mundle 2 Apr 2016 20:50 BST 20-27 August 2016
Sydney sailor Ervin Vidor's new yacht, the 23-metre long Charlotte, which he recently shipped to Australia from Europe, will be one of the most stylish and luxurious yachts of her type at this year's Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. (Image credit: CNB Ya © CNB Yachts France

At least one yacht from Europe by ship, many by road trailer from across Australia, the rest under sail; and they're all headed for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2016.

Such is the interest in this year's regatta that entries are being lodged at a rate faster than at any other time in the event's 33-year history. On current projections the 60th entry should be posted in the next few days; a milestone that would indicate the final fleet is likely to exceed 200 for the series, which will be staged on the warm tropical waters of the Whitsunday Islands region from August 20 to 27 this year.

Already the cross-section of entries is most impressive. They range from maxi yachts, sleek and luxurious new cruiser-racers, casual cruisers, trailables, exciting sport boats, and the widest imaginable spectrum of multihulls. Some have entered just for the fun factor while others are out to win their division; then there's the upper echelon of Grand Prix, PHS and multis competing to win their class in the Australian Yachting Championships.

One early entry certain to attract attention is Sydney yachtsman Ervin Vidor's uniquely elegant, 23 metre long CNB 76 cruiser-racer, Charlotte, which was launched in France last year. After cruising for 6000 nautical miles along France's Atlantic coast then in the Mediterranean, he shipped the yacht to Sydney with the express intention of being at this year's Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.

"I've competed at Hamilton Island Race Week only once, but I always knew I'd be back when my business commitments would allow it," Vidor said. "Now, having this new yacht, and the time available to be there, I can't wait to be part of this year's regatta."

It's Vidor's intention to use Race Week as a stepping stone towards competing in this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart race. He has already optimised the supremely comfortable yacht for racing with a wardrobe of new sails and the addition of a bowsprit.

Vidor is no newcomer to the sport. He began sailing dinghies soon after he moved to Sydney from Europe in 1950, then entered the keelboat arena with the purchase of the very first of the highly successful Endeavour 24 production yachts in 1964. He then went on to own numerous offshore racing yachts before buying a J/24 then the Farr 36, Farr Out (which he raced to Hobart on four occasions), and in more recent times a Beneteau 57 cruiser-racer.

There will be many other sailboats at Race Week 2016 at the opposite end of the scale to Charlotte, including the famous little 8-metre long trailable, Nessie, which will be competing for the 16th time – a record. Owner William McMillan, who lives in Grafton, in northern NSW, usually races the little yacht on the mighty Clarence River. But for 15 of the last 17 Race Weeks he has towed Nessie 3000 kilometres to the Whitsundays and back just to be part of the event.

"The big appeal Race Week holds for me is racing around those beautiful islands each day," McMillan said. "It reminds me of being on the firths in Scotland when I was learning to sail – but it's a lot warmer at Hamilton Island." He does, however, have one grumble: "It's wonderful being able to drive the beautiful Audi cars during promotions at the island. I love it, but I just wish they'd also make motor cycles because I'm a motor cycle fanatic."

The Notice of Race and entry form for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2016 are now posted on the Race Week website, www.audihamiltonislandraceweek.com.au The regatta – Australia's largest offshore sailing series – caters for a remarkably wide range of sailboats: from sportboats and trailables through to Grand Prix level keelboats, maxi yachts, cruising yachts of all sizes and configuration, and multihulls.

Audi Australia returns as the naming right sponsor of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week for an incredible eleventh year. Throughout the past decade of partnership, Audi and Hamilton Island have worked hand-in-hand to create the most impressive sailing regatta in Australia, with even more activities on offer for sailors and onshore guests alike. This shared vision is based on a joint passion for winning performance, technological innovation and spirited competition.

Related Articles

39th Hamilton Island Race Week Comes to a Close
Match racing finishes pushing right to the end in multiple divisions The final day of on water action at Hamilton Island Race Week 2024 pushed all the way to the wire, with match racing finishes pushing right to the end in multiple divisions as placings remained in contention across all divisions. Posted on 25 Aug 2024
Women at the top at Hamilton Island Race Week 2024
Rhumb Runna competing in the Trailable Yacht Division, features an all female crew of locals The 39th Edition of Hamilton Island Race Week has marked an increase in female representation in key roles on boats, from skippers to navigators and plenty of female crew out on the water. Posted on 23 Aug 2024
Hamilton Island Race Week Prix d'Elegance
All styles and sizes on show ahead of day four racing Day four of racing started in style this morning with the annual Hamilton Island Race Week Prix d'Elegance. Posted on 22 Aug 2024
Hamilton Island Race Week 2024 Day 3
Nautilus Marine Insurance Classic creates Mini Maxi Match Race It was an early start for the IRC Divisions on day three of Hamilton Island Race Week, with the Nautilus Marine insurance Classic Long & Medium Races on the schedule commencing from 0915. Posted on 20 Aug 2024
Luck of the Irish at Hamilton Island Race Week
There is also a boat from Ireland, named Ri-Ra, skippered by brothers Hugh and Patrick Blaney Boats from all eight Australian states and territories, ranging in size from the 100ft Super Maxi 'Wild Thing 100' to the smallest yacht, a 20.6ft Sonata 6.3 'Norbert G' skippered by Ghigo Casalini. Posted on 19 Aug 2024
Hamilton Island Race Week 2024 Day 1
The 164 boats split into twelve divisions for racing Hamilton Island Race Week officially opened with a bang last night, marked with fireworks at the Nautilus Marine Insurance Yacht Owners and Skippers Welcome Cocktail Party. Posted on 18 Aug 2024
Camaraderie, chefs and champagne ahead for HIRW
Australia's most beloved winter sailing competition Hamilton Island Race Week 2024 is around the corner and southerners shivering through the winter season, are dreaming of warm days, exquisite chef dinners and joyful reunions, all set against the backdrop of Australia's most beloved sailing competition. Posted on 16 Aug 2024
Big entry for Hamilton Island Race Week
Entries for this year's Hamilton Island Race Week quickly reached capacity Entries for this year's Hamilton Island Race Week quickly reached capacity as Australian and international boat owners raced to register for the internationally acclaimed Whitsundays sailing series. Posted on 12 Jun 2024
Final Hamilton Island Race Week blast
A final race to the Molle Islands and back in trade winds up to 22 knots A final blast to the Molle Islands and back in trade winds up to 22 knots closed out the 38th Hamilton Island Race Week and decided the trophy winners in divisions where the top placings were still up for grabs. Posted on 26 Aug 2023
Magic fast sailing at Hamilton Island Race Week
ORMA 60 Rex hits 37.8 knots on the penultimate day Hamilton Island Race Week's 60-foot multihull behemoth Rex came close to their top speed on the penultimate day, hitting 37.8 knots of boat speed in the fresh south-easterlies. Posted on 25 Aug 2023