The 29th annual Audi Hamilton Island Race Week launched last night at Hamilton Island’s iconic Yacht Club to a spectacular fireworks display.

Bob Oatley, an avid sailor and owner of Wild Oats XI and Hamilton Island, officially launched the week with a ceremonial raising of the flag assisted by regatta naming rights sponsor, Audi Australia’s Managing Director, Uwe Hagen.

Attending the prestigious launch event were distinguished guests and sailing’s elite including London 2012 Olympics gold medalist and national hero Tom Slingsby, John Bertrand AM, past IRC champion sailors Stephen Ainsworth, Peter Sorensen and Marcus Blackmore, along with world-class sailors such as Peter ‘Billy’ Merrington, Robbie Naismith, Adrienne Cahalan, Mike Sanderson and Ryan Houston. Famous faces were also in the crowd including Asher Keddie, Mindy Woods, Angela Bishop, Paula Joye and others.

Bob’s eldest son and Chairman of Hamilton Island Enterprises, Sandy Oatley, also attended the event with his daughter Nicky Tindill (nee Oatley), representing three generations of the Oatley family.

When speaking about the event, Bob said: ‘Each year our challenge is to make sure Audi Hamilton Island Race Week retains its identity as Australia’s premier regatta, and this year will be no exception’.

Described by many as one of the best sailing regattas in the world, the program includes categories for top-class racers, an IRC Passage class for modern fast-cruising yachts, performance racing and sports boat classes. There are also cruising and non-spinnaker divisions. 

This year, the Audi IRC Australian Championship will be fought and won at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. Three categories will compete against their peers for the glory of being named Audi IRC Australian Champion for Class A, B and C. Endorsed by Yachting Australia, the winner of each class will win a brand new North Sails spinnaker which will be emblazoned with the Audi IRC Australian Championship logo.

Paired with an off-water social schedule of celebrity chefs, fashion shows, and glamorous parties that will appeal to the most discerning of tastes, Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is the not-to-be-missed event on the international sailing calendar.

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is Australia’s largest offshore yachting regatta and the not-to-be-missed event on the international sailing calendar. Each year the regatta attracts skilled yachtsmen from around the world including New Zealand, Europe, Asia and America. The superb sailing rivalry is enhanced by a diverse on shore social schedule of celebrity chefs, fashion shows, exquisite jewels and glamorous parties. For full details visit www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au

Hamilton Island is located off the Queensland coast of Australia, within the Whitsunday Islands at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Here visitors can experience everything that is great about Australia – natural landscapes, calm turquoise waters, secluded beaches, beautiful weather, fascinating coral reefs, diverse flora and fauna. Hamilton Island offers a wide range of accommodation options, not to mention over 60 activities and all within a short direct flight from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns. There are also great connections from other Australian cities. www.hamiltonisland.com.au  www.facebook.com/hamiltonisland

Audi is the title sponsor of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. The German luxury carmaker is now in its seventh year as sponsor of this leading regatta. The Audi brand is going from strength to strength in Australia, thanks to its exceptional range of premium-quality vehicles, a strong design philosophy and a long-term partnership with the sport of sailing in Australia, and around the world. www.audi.com.au

By Hamilton Island PR

See Hamilton Island Race Week images

Last Updated ( Saturday, 18 August 2012 )