While thousands of yachts have ventured up the Australian east coast to winter in the Whitsundays, few of them have been further north.
Now an ever growing number of the yachts racing at Meriden Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week and Audi Hamilton Island Race Week have been adding a third regatta to their northern adventure.</b>
It’s the Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week, now in its fourth year.
Wes Bailey, one of the driving forces in the development of the regatta from within Townsville Yacht Club, is at Airlie Beach sailing on Graham Donnell’s Quattro.
During the wait ashore at Abel Point marina today Wes commented ‘All the regattas are subtly different. The old hands tell us that the Magnetic Island series has the same feel as the early Hammo Race Week events, friendly and less formal even than Airlie Beach.
‘It will be another great event this year, with an even bigger fleet. We’ve had more wind than in previous winters and the sea breezes are well established.
‘There is an ever increasing community involvement, with growing numbers of spectators taking to the water to watch the racing on the weekend.’
Mike Steel, Sailing Captain of the Townsville Yacht Club, will be sailing his Dufour 34 Boudicea at Hamilton Island before returning to Magnetic Island for the Sunferries Regatta start on September 3rd start.
‘We’ve been finding more and more boats are coming up to Townsville/Magnetic Island and at the same time the participation from the Far North Queensland fleet continues. The draw card continues to be the fact that it’s a relaxed fun regatta in some very interesting and pretty surroundings and it’s a gateway to more great cruising grounds. Great anchorages, Palm Island, Phantom, and Orpheus (resort) – 20 miles to the Great Barrier Reef and to Hinchenbrook, all easily accessible while you wait for Trades to turn. You can then cruise south with the wind over your shoulder.
‘Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week is certainly going from strength to strength – the numbers have tripled in just four years and it’s a social fun regatta, really enjoyable. The feedback has been that we’ve really got the mix right.’
Regatta Director Denis Thompson said ‘We are continuing to fine tune the courses with starts no earlier than 11am, as the afternoon sea breeze is the dominant element.
‘With the numbers still growing, it’s certainly shaping as a good year for this still building regatta, definitely a great way to finish the ‘winter.’
More information at www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au
Sunferries is proud to be the naming rights sponsor of the second annual Magnetic Island Race Week. Locally owned and operated, Sunferries operates 19 return services daily between Townsville and Magnetic Island. Our modern vessels offer comfort and are the quickest link to Magnetic Island, with just 20 minutes traveling time. Sunferries is committed to promoting Magnetic Island and the Townsville region as an ideal leisure destination, and provides tour and accommodation booking services through Sunsea Travel.
Other principal event sponsors include Townsville City Council and the event is run under the auspices of Townsville Yacht Club. Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week is held onsite Peppers Blue on Blue resort and race officials and crew are accommodated at Mantra One Bright Point.
For more information on Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week, which runs from September 3th to 7th 2010 go to www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au
Event Manager: Stephanie Cairns Mobile 0439 012603