Lay Day fun at Jeanneau and 74 Islands Airlie Beach Race Week
by Di Pearson/ABRW media 11 Aug 00:10 BST
6-13 August 2026
Jeanneau Yachts presented by Mooloolaba Yacht Brokers and 74 Islands Airlie Beach Race Week (ABRW) 2026 is in full swing and already competitors have experienced three fabulous days of racing on the water and the social side ashore - including today's lay day.
The fleet (there are over 800 people sailing this week) literally flew around the course yesterday - bows up, throwing up wake, launching off waves played amongst it all. You name it - they did it - and enjoyed it! Best of all, the whales were breaching and on the water and ashore the program has run line clockwork.
Ashore at Whitsunday Sailing Club, following racing, prize winners are enjoying the 74 Islands gift they receive at ABRW - and why wouldn't they? A beautifully boxed bottle of Vodka and glasses to go with it. Magic!
Musto returned to the event this year and CEO, David Oliver, said, "I'm so glad to be back. It's a great regatta and I've already seen so many familiar faces." Musto's pop-up shop is open every day after racing at WSC, so please visit and support the event merchandiser.
For lay day, the event has many options available for crews, their families and friends., not to mention the volunteers, who are the heart and soul of ABRW. So many return year in year out and new ones come and go. Some roles are ashore helping Regatta Director, Jenni Birdsall, manning radios and the like. Others are organising breakfast and making lunches for the volunteers and others - with the cleaning up to follow.
The rest are on the water under the direction of Principal Race Officer Kevin Wilson. The roles vary from start boat duties to race officer on the various courses to mark laying, rescue boat and media boat duties.
Back to what to do on lay day.
There is the Ocean Crusaders Lay Day Clean Up to help keep the local waters pristine, hosted by competitors Ian Thomson and wife Annika, owners of the TP52, Ocean Crusaders J-Bird. The Thomsons have long been environmentalists and visionaries and we are proud to have them in our sport.
Each year the Thomsons lead volunteers to clean up the local area: "We collected over 380 kilos of rubbish last year. It gets put on Ocean Crusaders' barge. We go pretty much from 8am to1pm, then it's back to the Club (WSC) for a barbecue," says Ian Thomson.
The Thomson's arrive early at the Club each morning and sort all the drinks cans and take them away. They are committed.
Today also marks the debut of the all-new Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 455 today. ABRW major sponsor, Mooloolaba Yacht Brokers, invited participants of Race Week to come and view the new yacht. The design combines outstanding sailing performance with luxurious comfort, innovative design and effortless handling.
Buses are on hand for those headed to the 74 Islands 'Changing Courses Lunch' at Elementa. Attendees will enjoy a 74 Islands Summit Spritz on arrival, live food stations, roaming canapés and live music at 74 Islands.
And at WSC, the restaurant and bar are open all day and evening, with food and the bar also open in the Festival Village from 1600 hours, until late into the night, when Beach Party DJ Zuero is on hand to keep everyone entertained.
Of course, crews are free to also do their own thing and Airlie Beach and beyond offers plenty to attract the tourists.
Racing will resume tomorrow from 10am, weather permitting.
For full results in all divisions, news, photos and more, head to: www.abrw.com.au