Hamilton Island Race Week wrap up

It was another beautiful week at Hamilton Island Race Week 2019. Nothing beats sailing under blue skies and enjoying great weather for eight fun-filled days. Where else would you want to be during Australia’s winter season?

INCREDIBLE TURNOUT

It was our 16th year hosting the daily ‘Shoot the Breeze’ morning race briefings. We enjoyed a record turnout of the skipper and crew. Thanks to our guest speakers including Sam Newton, Adrienne Calahan, and North Sails’ Michael Coxon.

We were thrilled to have 15 Beneteau skippers racing during the week.

All up there were over 200 people from all walks of life participating in what was a fantastic week of sailing. We’re so proud to be involved with Hamilton Island Race Week; thanks to all for such an incredible week of competition.

MICAH’S WRAP UP

Flagstaff’s Micah Lane shared his wrap up of events.

“Wow, what a beautiful Hamilton Island Race Week it was. It’s just so much fun sailing in constant blue skies, great winds and complex tides and weather patterns. It just never gets old.

On behalf of our company Flagstaff Marine, Beneteau, AMEL yachts, EXCESS catamarans and Hamilton Island, we would like to say a big thanks to the following people:

First and foremost, Michael Spies, for his wise words, tips, organization of our speakers and all the humor. And for handicapping the fleet – which cannot be an easy task!

Our man, Shane Crookshanks, for organizing the course sheets and tides.

Lisa Ratcliffe, for organizing us at the Hamilton Island end. We’d also like to thank everyone in the race committee who ran a seamless sailing event for everyone to enjoy.

And of course, Hamilton Island, for organizing the whole event, the PA system we used daily, the swimming pools, the restaurants, the golf buggies and keeping the island ready for the sailing fraternity each year.”

WISE WORDS AND TIPS

We were so excited to hear from our fantastic guest speakers who volunteered each morning to share their amazing tips and stories. We’d like to thank Russel Green, Michael Coxon and Alby from North Sails, Jimmie from the Beard tent, Denis Thompson, Adrienne Calahan, Sam Newton, Mark Richards and Glen Bourke for sharing with everyone their fantastic experiences.

CONGRATULATIONS TEAM BENETEAU AND AMEL

Congratulations to all our Beneteau and AMEL owners; we had some terrific results across the board. We’re hoping to see an EXCESS catamaran doing us proud next year.

BENETEAU OWNER PODIUM RESULTS

IRC Division 3 – Beneteau First 45 – Ikon – Bruce McKraken – 1st
IRC Division 3 – Beneteau First 47.7 – Eagle Rock – Ross Wilson – 2nd
PHS Spinnaker Division 1 – Beneteau Sense 55 – Silver Lining – Andrew McGrath – 2nd
PHS Spinnaker Division 2 – Beneteau First 47.7 – Statacare Bluebottle – 3rd
PHS Spinnaker Division 4 – Beneteau Oceanis 50 – Holy Cow – Kim and John Clinton – 1st
PHS Spinnaker Division 4 – Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 – Bombolo – David Boekemann – 3rd
Non-Spinnaker Division 1 – Beneteau Sense 50 – La Troisieme Mitemps – 3rd

Thank you to all of our owners who competed and are doing our brands proud. Well done to everyone!

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone join us at the Beneteau Cup later this October. Please also read more about other luxury yacht and powerboat events where you’ll find us.