Audi and Hamilton Island celebrate 10 year partnership with a host of premium new events 1 April 2015 The 2015 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week was launched last night at Matt Moran’s North Bondi Fish. This year’s event runs from 15 – 22 August 2015. Celebrating 10 years of partnership with Hamilton Island this year, Audi plans to host 10 special events across the week-long event, including a mix of general public, ticketed experiences and invite-only experiences. “We are incredibly proud of the 10 year partnership that we have forged with Hamilton Island. The result of our successful collaboration is a world class Regatta that exceeds expectations each year, and has become one of the most anticipated events on the Australian social calendar,” said Andrew Doyle, Managing Director, Audi Australia Pty Ltd. “Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is a truly unique race meet, in one of the most beautiful locations in Australia, where all guests can enjoy the best of food, fashion, art and world-class sailing on the Great Barrier Reef. “In 2015, we encourage all Australians to come and experience firsthand the schedule of first-class activities that Audi and Hamilton Island will offer,” Doyle added. Hamilton Island’s Brand Manager, Nicky Tindill, commented on the modest beginnings of the event in its first year, which now attracts over 200 yachts. “With just three sailing divisions and fewer than 100 yachts in year one, the regatta has grown immensely. Now, it consistently attracts 200 yachts, across 12 divisions, and a diverse mix of sailors from Australia and all over the world including Olympians and experienced America’s Cup campaigners alike, racing alongside enthusiasts of all ages and walks of life,” Ms Tindill said. “What makes this event so special is that there’s something for everyone. For some, it’s the soothing effect of long days drifting into warmer climates. For others, it’s the thrill of racing or watching the best boats that money can buy. Most importantly, together with Audi, we have built something so much more than a sailing event. This true lifestyle event offers sailing, gourmet food, leading fashion, music, fast cars and of course the beautiful location that is Hamilton Island, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. “Our goal this year is to attract a record breaking 250 boat registrations. In keeping with tradition we have an exciting array of onshore activities and events for guests to attend free of charge or purchase tickets to,” she added. Audi has also announced the addition of new experiences by Guillaume Brahimi, French-born chef and Australian culinary royalty. Brahimi joins the brand’s list of renowned ambassadors, which also includes Matt Moran, Shannon Bennett, Kylie Kwong, Richard Roxburgh and Collette Dinnigan. One of Guillaume’s first appearances as an Audi ambassador will be at the opening weekend of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2015. Key events announced: Culinary Experiences Guillaume Brahimi will host a French seafood bistro experience for Audi guests on Saturday 15 August at qualia. Tickets for the public are available for Sunday 16 August in qualia’s iconic Long Pavilion. Shannon Bennett will create a Progressive Dinner for Audi guests on Friday 21 August. The dinner will showcase Bennett’s unique “fire and heat” cooking technique, with guests moving between various spectacular island locations to experience a truly unique dining experience. Bennett will also cook for the much-anticipated Charles Hiedsieck Champagne lunch on Tuesday 18 August. Limited tickets are available for the public. Kylie Kwong will create an extraordinary 10-course dinner for Audi guests at Pebble Beach on Tuesday 18 August. Fashion Previews On Sunday 16 August, Audi will host an exclusive preview of Collette Dinnigan’s upcoming retrospective exhibition ‘Collette Dinnigan – Unlaced’ before it opens at the Museum of Arts & Science (formerly the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney) later in the year. Dinnigan will display 10 of her signature dresses, celebrating the 25th anniversary of her iconic Collette Dinnigan label. Guests will also get the opportunity to learn from the experts in luxury designs and clothing, Louis Vuitton, with further details to be announced soon. Hamilton Island Outdoor Cinema Audi and Hamilton Island will create an Outdoor Cinema, showcasing some of the brands favourite starring roles from new release blockbusters including Avengers: Age of Ultron, Wolverine and Iron Man under the stars. Tickets are available for the public to all screenings. Displaying the best in Audi vehicle technology In true Audi style, the brand will showcase it’s very latest vehicles on the island for guests and public to experience, including the all-new Audi Q7, ahead of its national launch in September, and the iconic Audi TT. Over one million dollars in premium automotive technology will transfer guests around Hamilton Island, courtesy of the company’s luxury fleet of vehicles.