Numbers up for Jeanneau and 74 Islands Airlie Beach Race Week
by Di Pearson/ABRW media 21 Jul 06:00 BST
6-13 August 2026
Beatrix leads off the start of Multihull Racing Division 2 last year at Airlie Beach Race Week © Andrea Francolini / ABRW
Numbers are up across the board for the 2026 Jeanneau Yachts presented by Mooloolaba Yacht Brokers and 74 Islands Airlie Beach Race Week (ABRW), hosted by Whitsunday Sailing Club (WSC) and entries, which have already reached 110, remain open until 23:59 hours on 27 July - so don't miss out!
To be held from 6-13 August, there will be a few first-time boats and faces at WSC's signature event.
Paul and Luke Ratcliff are fans of ABRW, now in its 38th iteration. The Sydney brothers have, in the past, represented in the Sports Boat and last time, in 2023, it was in the off the beach F16/F18 division. In 2026 the competitive pair, who have grown up sailing, are entered the Multihull Racing class for the first time. A variety of at least 15 multis, that will be divided into two divisions, awaits them.
Younger brother Luke says, "Midnight Rain was built by Noosa Marine. Paul and I purchased it in February 2026 and hope to continue the boat's winning legacy. Julain from Noosa Marine won the Bay to Bay and a host of other Queensland events with it, now Paul and I are keen to pinch a trophy at Airlie and enjoy a few rums!"
Midnight Rain, having her first run at Airlie Beach, will have stiff competition, including from past winners and placegetters, such as the Grainger 075 owned and skippered by WSC President, Terry Archer. West Australian Ray Martin is re-visiting with his Farrier F85sr, Beatrix, after placing second last year.
Numbers in the Rating Passage Division have not been so high for over 10 years - Ray Roberts' champion Botin 40, Team Hollywood, making it 16 entries. The Sydney yachtsman is the one to beat in Division 2, having won every race in 2025 and all but one race in 2024.
However, the competition is more robust in 2026. Grant Pocklington's Bakewell-White 40 Anarchy (NSW), Glenn Burrell's Reichel Pugh 42 Black Diamond (Qld), Daniel Taylor's Cape 31, Dirty Deeds DC (WA) and Tom Woods' JPK 1080, Saltwater Wine (NSW) are just some who will be out for blood.
Burrell says, "In 2025 we were first on IRC in the Gladstone Ports Corp Brisbane to Gladstone race." He is hoping to keep the momentum going at ABRW and beyond to the 2026 Australian Yachting Championships in October.
And Woods, who sails out of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, says of Saltwater Wine, "This is our first campaign with the yacht and competing in Queensland. It originally raced in Western Australia as Atomic Blonde (winning the 2021 Siska Trophy) and the 2023 Sydney Hobart as Rockall 8 for a German Team (was second in Division 4)." The JPK designs are hard to beat.
The Performance Cruising class has outclassed the rest again, with 36 entries received to-date. Julian Bell is bringing 51st Project, his Beneteau First 50 from Newcastle in NSW and quite rightly states: "A bad day's sailing still beats a good day in the office..."
Queenslander, Matthew Kingsberry, says of his well-used Farr 1106. Amaya II, "She has a heart of gold and sails like a dream when the conditions are perfect for her. Thanks to a ragtag ripper crew, Amaya II has been on the podium of a race or two a couple of times. She's proof a 46 plus year-old Farr can still mix it with the right dose of Botox and plastic surgery!"
Sydney's trio of Grundy brothers, Stephen, David and Richard are returning to the fold with Minnow, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 they purchased in 2020. Last at Airlie in 2024, the brothers say they seeking to keep on racing "and to also enjoy the comforts of a cruising style yacht," perfect for the Cruising Division at ABRW.
Speaking of Jeanneaus, ABRW major sponsor, Jeanneau, is pleased to announce that the all-new Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 455 will make its Australian debut at Race Week this year. The design represents a yacht that combines outstanding sailing performance with luxurious comfort, innovative design and effortless handling.
The team from Mooloolaba Yacht Brokers will be on-site throughout the week, welcoming visitors, catching up with existing Jeanneau owners and introducing prospective buyers to the latest addition to the Jeanneau range, so please come and take a look.
No matter what type of boat you sail, there is a class and division for all at Jeanneau Yachts presented by Mooloolaba Yacht Brokers and 74 Islands Airlie Beach Race Week, so head online to enter and view the Notice of Race: www.abrw.com.au