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Kiwi Paul Young’s 36-footer, Young Rebel, is the first international entry for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012

First international entry for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012 is from keen Kiwi

03 Feb 2012

Kiwi yachtsman Paul Young is so enthusiastic about being at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012 he has already lodged his entry – more than six months before the regatta is launched on August 17.'I’ve tried for many years to get to Race Week as crew with other people, but outside influences have always prevented me being there,' Young explained from... Read More

1)	The America’s Cup is welcomed to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week by island owner and veteran yachtsman, Bob Oatley, Cup winning skipper Jimmy Spithill, and Hamilton Island Yacht Club Commodore, Iain Murray. (Andrea Francolini/Audi image)

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week dates are set – 17-25 August 2012

11 Oct 2011

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011 was hailed as the most successful and satisfying in the event’s spectacular 28-year history. There were 195 racing yachts – ranging from small cruisers to record-breaking supermaxis – and some impressive superyachts on the water. Then, when the sailing was done, crews, families, friends and island guests sampled the... Read More

Pic:  Hamilton Island Photography

Southern crews dominate cruising divisions at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

28 Aug 2011

Tasmanian crews have taken top honours in two of the three cruising divisions contesting Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. Southern excellence has made a big splash in what is once again the largest division racing at Hamilton Island where the competition wrapped up today with the abandonment of the final Molle Islands Race. Competitors were given an... Read More

Euphoria at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.  Pic:  Andrea Francolini

Euphoria for Performance Racing Division 2 winner

28 Aug 2011

The two Performance Racing divisions at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, which drew to a close today, provided the closest racing among the regatta’s 195 entrants.A range of conditions, from plenty of puff in the early part of the week trending down to today’s ‘barely there’ and the subsequent postponement of the final Molle Islands Race, served up a... Read More

Naomi Watt at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.   Pic:  Andrea Francolini

Naomi Watts is Audi’s newest Ambassador

28 Aug 2011

• Actress, Naomi Watts, joins Audi as new brand ambassador• Announcement made at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011• Audi MD hosts invitation-only dinner on Hamilton Island to welcome WattsQualia, Hamilton Island, Friday 26 August 2011 - Audi Australia has today announced a brand new partnership with actress, Naomi Watts.The announcement was made by... Read More

Pic:  Andrea Francolini

Victoire's victory at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

27 Aug 2011

Darryl Hodgkinson’s Victoire had the IRC Class B series sewn up before today’s final scheduled Molle Islands Race, the Sydney plastic surgeon’s champion Beneteau 45 remaining on the dock while the rest wallowed about in light winds and drizzle in Dent Passage until racing was postponed.All Audi Hamilton Island Race Week results at the close of racing... Read More

Pic:  Andrea Francolini

Hooligan's dream achieved at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

27 Aug 2011

A 28-year dream of winning the Grand Prix division at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week has been realised for Sydney yachtsman Marcus Blackmore. Blackmore’s sleek, gun metal grey-hulled TP52 Hooligan had the series in the bag before today’s scheduled Molle Islands Race, which wasn’t sailed given the wispy puffs of only 3 knots from around the compass in... Read More

Muir at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.  Pic:  Andrea Francolini

SB3 and Cruising News from Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

27 Aug 2011

Glenn Bourke’s total dominance in the SB3 class at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week must be disheartening for those looking towards next year’s world championship which will be staged by the Island in December.The SB3s wrapped up their regatta today, Bourke hammering the final nails in with a first and second in the closing two races sailed in Dent Passage... Read More

Pic by Andrea Francolini

One race to go for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011

27 Aug 2011

On the penultimate day of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, two premier divisions have all but been run and won while the rest have one race remaining to make a final grab for points before the curtain closes tomorrow.Conditions were cool on the water today with a 14 knot average south easterly breeze and a top gust of 21 knots and early light showers.With... Read More

Pic:  Andrea Francolini

Hooligan holds firm in Audi IRC Australian Championship

26 Aug 2011

Multiple Laser world champion and Rolex ISAF World Sailor of the Year Tom Slingsby has been part of many different race programs. When asked what he believes is the magic ingredient, the explanation for Marcus Blackmore’s mind boggling success at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week with his TP52 Hooligan, Slingsby says it’s the team.“Sometimes the volume... Read More

Victoire at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011.  Pic:  Andrea Francolini

Victory imminent for Victoire

26 Aug 2011

In the hard-fought IRC Class B at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, Darryl Hodgkinson’s slippery Beneteau 45 Victoire has padlocked the top placing and thrown away the key with today’s fifth consecutive handicap win from six starts.An island course in a gusty 18-20 knot SE breeze proved another easy hit out for Victoire which is demoralising its Class... Read More

Pic:  Andrea Francolini

A pearler of a yacht at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

26 Aug 2011

Ruby Charlotte, the first pearling lugger to contest Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, turns so many heads and generates so much interest on the dock that her owners have laminated fact sheets chronicling the boat’s colourful history ready to whip out for curious passersby.Weighing the equivalent of 25 Audi A1s and the oldest boat competing at Race Week... Read More

James Spithill with the America's Cup.  Pic by Belinda Rolland.

America's Cup overhaul unveiled at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

25 Aug 2011

It was standing room only when some of Australia’s best known offshore sailors were treated to a unique Audi Hamilton Island Race Week layday activity, the America’s Cup on display and a chance to hear the defending skipper talking about the new AC45 and the overhaul of the 34th America’s Cup.He might only be 32 but Australian born James Spithill has... Read More

Pic:  Andrea Francolini

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week reaches half way point

25 Aug 2011

There is a ding dong battle for the coveted regatta silverware going on between two major sailing and business heavyweights at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, which has just passed the half way point.Blackmore’s chairman Marcus Blackmore came to Race Week the grand prix favourite but has found himself a worthy opponent in last year’s winner, Stephen... Read More

Bob Oatley, James Spithill and Iain Murray with the America's Cup.  Pic:  Belinda Rolland

Two iconic international sailing trophies are on display at Hamilton Island

24 Aug 2011

For the first time ever, two of the most significant trophies in the sport of sailing, have been displayed together. The America’s Cup and the Admiral’s Cup are on show this week at the Hamilton Island Yacht Club.The oldest trophy in the history of international sport, the America’s Cup, arrived on Hamilton Island yesterday afternoon. The cup flew... Read More

Likatiger at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.  Pic by Andrea Francolini

Boats fly in big winds

24 Aug 2011

From all the screaming spinnaker runs to Double Cone Island in today’s fresh sou’easter, David Turton’s Mooloolaba based FT10 Likatiger had one of the most exhilarating rides at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. Starting 25 minutes ahead of Wild Oats XI, Turton and his crew of five had the 33 footer nudging 20 knots and laid it over a couple of times.... Read More

Pic by Andrea Francolini

Audi IRC Australian Championship set for exciting finale

24 Aug 2011

Released: Monday, 22 August 2011Media Release: Audi IRC Australian Championship set for exciting finale as racing heads northThe battle for the 2011 Audi IRC Australian Championship is set to get right down to the wire with the final round currently underway in Queensland.Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is the fourth and final round of the 2011 championship... Read More

Pic:  Crosbie Lorimer

Loki's luck runs out

24 Aug 2011

The wind howled all night and 30 plus knots of south easterly breeze greeted the starters on the race track, packing plenty of punch for the longest races of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.Second on the IRC Class A Grand Prix pointscore heading into day four, Stephen Ainsworth’s RP63 Loki was the highest profile casualty, less than five minutes after... Read More

Pic by Andrea Francolini

Strong winds to test sailors

23 Aug 2011

An ominous trough in the southern Coral Sea has continued to bend boisterous wind and rough seas into the Whitsunday Islands as it continued to track a course towards the Queensland coast overnight.A peak gust of 41 knots recoded at the Hamilton Island Airport at 10 pm gave an early indication for the 195 crews that they would again face a supreme test... Read More

Pic by Andrea Francolini

The sun rises over Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

23 Aug 2011

For his 60th birthday year, Japanese skipper Kiwamu Takahashi is celebrating with some of his regular crew at Australia’s most awarded regatta, Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, and this afternoon they have climbed to the top of Performance Racing 2 division thanks to today’s corrected time victory.The all Japanese crew of 11 has travelled many miles... Read More

SB3's at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.  Pic by Andrea Francolini

Rigs come down in racing big winds

23 Aug 2011

22 August 2011The SB3s began their four day competition as part of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week and as expected, Island CEO Glenn Bourke scored first runs, but not without incident. The fleet of 13 were sent to a course area in Dent Passage protected from the worst of the strong south easterlies. “We had 15 to 22 knots of quite shifty wind. It was... Read More

Hooligan on Day 3 at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.  22 August 2011

Loki evens the score with Hooligan at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

23 Aug 2011

Marcus Blackmore’s all conquering TP52 Hooligan has found itself a worthy opponent. Today Stephen Ainsworth’s RP63 Loki evened the tally between the two over a number of events, the current being Audi Hamilton Island Race Week where the two are ruling the Grand Prix division.Loki’s handicap win in IRC Class A Grand Prix division today means it’s five... Read More

Collette Dinnigan Fashion Parade

Stars cruise into Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

22 Aug 2011

Megan Gale, Collette Dinnigan, Matt Moran and the America’s Cup Superyachts, fashion designers, super models, celebrity chefs and the sailing fraternity will descend on Hamilton Island for Australia’s largest offshore yachting regatta, Audi Hamilton Island Race Week from Friday 19 – Saturday 27 August 2011. Model, actress and TV personality, Megan Gale... Read More

Maxstar at 2011 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

Eagle Rock and Maxstar fly during day two of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

22 Aug 2011

Ross Wilson’s weighty Beneteau First 47.7 Eagle Rock likes a stiff breeze and today’s 20 knots didn’t hurt their performance, a win in Performance Racing Division 1 the perfect end to a sensational island course that finished in Dent Passage just off Hamilton Island’s impressive new yacht club. “We had a good start and run to Ann Island, everything... Read More

Loki on Day 2 of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.  Pic by Andrea Francolini.  21 Aug 2011

Fast racing in perfect conditions at Hamilton Island

22 Aug 2011

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week’s IRC Class A Grand Prix and B riders and starters had their first day of taxing windward/leeward races in bumpy seas and a brisk 18-20 knot south easterly trade breeze.Bob Oatley’s supermaxi Wild Oats XI continued its line honours winning form, spoiling Anthony Bell and Investec Loyal’s chances of getting on the scoreboard... Read More

Close racing on the way back from Lindeman Island in the first day of racing at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.  Photo credit:  Andrea Francolini

Winners play down early race victories

21 Aug 2011

The Lindeman Island Race was the perfect entree to a week of promising winds and fine weather for the 195 entrants contesting Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.The leisurely 23.3 nautical mile race provided a gentle ease into the week long racing program that has one again attracted boats and crew from all over Australia and overseas.This afternoon, many... Read More

The passes the Hamilton Island Golf Course in the first day of racing at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011.

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week seal broken with classic Lindeman Island Race

21 Aug 2011

The seal was broken off the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week cap with the promise of a just over a week of racing in the stunning Whitsunday Islands group spectacularly previewed with today’s opening 23.3 nautical mile Lindeman Island Race.Starting from the eastern start line the fleet worked their way up to Lindeman Island and back down to the finish... Read More

Hamilton Island Holiday Homes - Limited availability during Race Week

Holiday Homes Race Week Special Offer (update)

16 Aug 2011

There are Holiday Homes still available for Race Week. For the remaining properties that are still available, the minimum night stay is now only 4 nights (instead of 7). The following properties are still available as at 16 August 2011 2 Bedroom properties  Bella Vista East #5 -  Up to 4 guests Bella Vista West #1 - Up to 5 guests Frangipani... Read More

The America’s Cup will be on display during this month’s Audi Hamilton Island Race Week at regatta headquarters, Hamilton Island Yacht Club. (Photo: Andrea Francolini)

The America’s Cup returns to Australia for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

12 Aug 2011

The oldest trophy in the history of international sport, the America’s Cup, will be the spectacular centrepiece at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week this month, and while there it will celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 160th anniversary of when it was first contested in 1851.Sporting history reveals that the contest for this remarkable trophy began... Read More

The Audi A1 is the ultimate prize at this month’s Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. More than 100,000 of this model have been produced since it was released at the Geneva Motor Show last year.

Audi action at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011

05 Aug 2011

Travelling at around 40 knots while steering is an enthralling experience every competitor at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week can enjoy during this year’s regatta, which starts August 19. And, the same experience could result in that sailor’s yacht being named the winner of a stylish Audi A1. This highly anticipated contest is on land – it’s the Audi... Read More

Happiness at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week: The Sunsail 53 is available for charter for Race Week, scheduled for 19 to 27 Augus

Leave your yacht at home yet still compete at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

29 Jul 2011

You can leave your yacht at home and still compete at Australia’s premier keelboat regatta, Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, next month.All you need to do is get your crew together and charter a yacht that is waiting for you at Hamilton Island.Charter yachts are a significant part of the great success of Race Week, both in the cruising and non-spinnaker... Read More

The Prix d’ Elegance at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week will be judged from the Flag Deck of the yacht club. (Photo – Andrea Fran

The Prix d’ Elegance – a trophy you can win without setting sail

26 Jul 2011

Two competing yachts at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011 will each be going home with an impressive trophy without having started in a race on the day.The trophies will go to the crews that win their category in the highly entertaining Prix d’ Elegance competition, which will be staged before the start of racing on Friday, 26 August. The Prix d’... Read More

Henri Lloyd

Henri Lloyd announces competition to win “Experience the Shockwave” marine prize kit & the “Ultimate

26 Jul 2011

Henri Lloyd believes in balance. Function and style. Performance and quality. Lifestyle and technical marine. Thru Henri Lloyd’s continuing sponsorship of the prestigious Australian sailing regatta, Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, both elements are brought together with the announcement of a competition to win two exclusive prizes, one Marine and one... Read More

At speed: Bob Oatley’s recently modified Wild Oats XI will be put to the test at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week next month.

The big guns are coming out for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011

20 Jul 2011

Australia’s big guns of ocean yacht racing, the 30.2 metre long supermaxis Wild Oats XI and Investec Loyal, will renew hostilities next month when they clash at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.Both yachts have undergone extensive modifications in Sydney to ensure they are given the best opportunity to claim the much touted Race Week bragging rights at... Read More

Up the master during Race Week

Stars and Sails line up for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011

05 Jul 2011

29 June 2011: Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, Australia’s largest and most prestigious offshore yachting event, is already off to a promising start with 100 entries received to date, a new Superyacht division for motor yachts and a sparkling social program that will delight fashionistas and foodies alike. The event is scheduled to take place from Friday... Read More

The crew of Holy Cow milking it for everything at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week (Image: Andrea Francolini/AUDI)

Holy Cow – they are returning to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

05 Jul 2011

For 11 years John Clinton has been better recognised for his presence at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week rather than his results on the race course – and it probably will be no different when the 28th edition of the famous regatta is staged in August.On the water John, and his wife Kim, are highly conspicuous while racing their Oceanis 50 cruising yacht... Read More

Whales playing around during Race Week 2010

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week expands even further for 2011

02 Jun 2011

From superyachts to sportboats is where Australia’s most spectacular week of keelboat racing, Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, is planning to broaden its already legendary appeal this year.Organisers of the regatta, which will be staged from 19 to 27 August, have announced that following the successful introduction of a superyacht sailing division last... Read More

The most radical offshore racing yacht to be launched in decades

Radical Grand Prix racer for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011

02 Jun 2011

The most radical offshore racing yacht to be launched in decades is to compete at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011.The 42-footer, simply named Q, has been created to capitalise on the exceptional performance gains that come from canting keels by taking the moveable ballast concept to the limit: the entire keel fin and ballast bulb rotates around... Read More

Marcus Blackmore’s all-conquering yacht, Hooligan, is heading for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011. (Photo: Andrea Francolini

Hooligan heading for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011

02 Jun 2011

A 28-year dream of winning the Grand Prix division at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week may be realised for Sydney yachtsman Marcus Blackmore in August following confirmation he will be entering his all-conquering TP52 class racer, Hooligan, in the great regatta.Since January Hooligan has shown she is the hottest IRC rated yacht on the east coast circuit:... Read More

Radical 25 metre long catamaran nearing completion on the Gold Coast

Motor Superyachts to be at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

02 Jun 2011

A radical 25 metre long catamaran nearing completion on the Gold Coast is destined to be one of the first entries for the new superyacht power classification at this year’s Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.The sleek, futuristically styled vessel is being built for a legend of the hairdressing industry in Australia, and six-time Australian offshore powerboat... Read More

Sunsail charter catamarans are to be included in the Cruising Divisions at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011. (Image courtesy

Cats out of the bag at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

02 Jun 2011

Cruising yachts – privately owned and chartered – represent a significant and important part of the fleet at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, and because of this, the regatta organisers have decided to expand the charter opportunities for competitors this year. As well as having chartered monohulls racing in the spinnaker and non-spinnaker cruising divisions... Read More

Bob Oatley’s record breaking supermaxi yacht, Wild Oats XI

Supermaxi Wild Oats XI to be upgraded for this years Rolex Sydney Hobart Race

02 Jun 2011

Bob Oatley’s record breaking supermaxi yacht, Wild Oats XI, is about to undergo an upgrade following news that the 30-metre long sloop is to face a powerful foreign challenger in the Rolex Sydney Hobart race later this year.American George David has put Hobart race line honours, and hopefully an associated record breaking run, high on the agenda for... Read More

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