All eyes will be on Pioneer Bay this Friday morning, August 12, when a record fleet of around 130 boats hits the start line for the 22nd annual Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week.
Former President of the Whitsunday Sailing Club (WSC) and proud stalwart of Whitsunday sailing Mick Phillips said there was, “a significant home town advantage” for the Whitsunday sailors.
“The Whitsunday tidal gates are totally unforgiving so local knowledge really counts. This week we'll watch with interest how the locals go, to see if the tides go with them” he said.
Local boats competing in the 2011 regatta include Jeff Brown’s 007, Ross Winterbourne’s Bobby D, Sheyne Timmerman’s Grizzly, Kevin Fogarty’s Idle Time, Craig Piccinelli’s Wobbly Boot, Peter Berry’s J’Ouvert, Peter Millar’s Cynophobe and Terry Archer’s Questionable Logic, to name but a few.
WSC Commodore Kevin Fogarty said this would be this would be Idle Time’s 16th regatta and her last under his command.
“Idle Time has done more race weeks than any other boat in the world. We’re fired up. We’re going to win! Well, we’re going to try hard anyway,” he said.
Joking aside, Mr Fogarty said the emphasis was actually less on winning and more on enjoying the “tropical shirt” regatta.
“Everyone has a good time. You don’t get a lot of protests. The skippers tend not to get too stressed and just concentrate on having fun,” he said.
Multihull sailors Peter Berry (J’Ouvert) and Peter Millar (Cynophobe) are already having fun – at each other’s expense!
“It’s a great rivalry between Cynophobe and J’Ouvert. Of course we’re going to be beating them,” Mr Berry said.
“Bring it on. It’s going to be a great race week. We’re going to beat them!” was Peter Millar’s response.
For 007’s skipper Jeff Brown, Airlie Beach Race Week marks the first event in a year-long sponsorship deal with local business Sorrento’s, who are also sponsoring Another Fiasco and Rising Farrst.
Sorrento’s General Manager Petrit Istogu said he was pleased to be involved with local sailing, “especially under such competitive banners as the 007, Another Fiasco and Rising Farrst racing teams”.
Mr Brown said in his opinion Race Week was about two of the three best things in the world: “Sailing and racing”.
“No matter where you finish it’s an achievement taking part and it’s the camaraderie you build up as a crew,” he said.
Kim Townsend, whose son Dan sails 007 as crew said this was an important event for the whole town.
“It’s a time for our local communities to celebrate what they’re really passionate about,” she said.
As the Guardian went to press on Tuesday, Deputy Race Director Stuart Ross said the committee was “madly bagging up 130 goody bags” in preparation for Thursday’s registration.
“The key document we give out is the sailing instructions. Everyone operates from that – that’s if they read them!” he said.
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