Airlie Beach Race Week 2023

Event Dates – 10 Aug 2023 – 17 Aug 2023

Airlie Beach Race Week 2023 is shaping up to be a highly competitive event, featuring some of the best entries in the 40-45 foot range. With past Sydney Hobart winners, a record-breaking Kiwi yacht, a Fast 40, and a new Carkeek 40 among the entries, the competition promises to be fierce.

The Performance Cruising division has also seen a surge in entries from across Australia, with the number set to surpass 50.

Supported by the Queensland Government and featured on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar, Airlie Beach Race Week 2023 is a must-attend event for sailing enthusiasts. With a variety of competitive classes and a talented pool of competitors, the event promises to be a thrilling experience.

The high-quality entries and serious competition will undoubtedly keep spectators on the edge of their seats, making this event a highlight of the sailing calendar.

Several notable entries in Airlie Beach Race Week 2023 include, past Sydney Hobart winners, a record-breaking Kiwi yacht, a Fast 40, and a new Carkeek 40, among others, are set to participate in the high-quality IRC/ORC competition at Airlie Beach Race Week 2023.

This event is expected to provide serious competition in the 40-45 footer range. These entries boast impressive pedigrees. Doctor Darryl Hodgkinson, who won the 2013 Hobart with a former Victoire, will be competing aboard the equally decorated Carkeek 40.

Philip Turner’s RP66, Alive, which won the 2018 Hobart, will also be a strong contender alongside Rob Date’s Scarlet Runner, a Carkeek 43 and one of the newest boats in the fleet. The international representation is diverse.

Blink, a fully carbon versatile yacht from New Zealand that has broken a number of offshore records, and Secret Weapon, a Fast 40+ purchased by West Australian Robert Appleyard, are among the entries. Additionally, Graham Matthews has entered his Botin/Carkeek 55, Equilibrium from Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

Exciting prospects for underdog stories and potential upsets are also present, with entries in the Performance Cruising division spanning from the local Whitsunday Islands,  Queensland, Victoria, NSW, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia, about to break the 50 entries mark.

Overall, the notable entries at Airlie Beach Race Week 2023 promise to provide a thrilling and closely contested event.

The diverse range of classes at the upcoming Airlie Beach Race Week 2023 promises a thrilling competition for all participants. The event will include Rating Passage, ORC Passage, One-Design, Performance Racing, Performance Cruising, Non-Spinnaker, Trailable Yachts, and Sports Boat PHS and CBH categories, as well as Multihull Racing, Multihull Passage, Off Beach Multihull, WETA 4.4 Trimaran, and Off the Beach classes.

This diversity ensures that every type of boat and sailor will have a chance to compete at their level and showcase their skills. In the Top contenders list, the 40-45 footer range will have serious competition, with past Sydney Hobart winners, a record-breaking Kiwi yacht, a Fast 40, and a new Carkeek 40 among the entries.

Additionally, Doctor Darryl Hodgkinson, who won the 2013 Hobart with a former Victoire, will compete aboard the equally decorated Carkeek 40. The Performance Cruising division has entries from all over Australia and is set to break the 50 entries mark. With such class diversity, Airlie Beach Race Week 2023 is poised to be a thrilling event in Airlie Beach that will not disappoint.

Participants can find all the necessary event details, including the Notice of Race and online entry, on the official website for Airlie Beach Race Week 2023. The Queensland Government supports this website through Tourism and Events Queensland and is a feature on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing is a highly anticipated event, and the site offers a one-stop-shop for all participants’ information needs.

The event location makes it an ideal destination for those who love sailing and are looking for impeccable sailing conditions. The Whitsunday Islands provide the perfect backdrop for the event, with crystal-clear waters and beautiful scenery.

The support of the Queensland Government ensures that the event is of the highest quality and that every participant’s needs are met. With all the necessary information available on the official website, participants can focus solely on their sailing skills and enjoy the competition without worrying about logistics.

The town fills up quickly during this event, so pre-book your accommodation well ahead of time! You can see our Airlie Beach Accommodation Guide here.

Good luck to everyone racing this year. I will be watching from the hill above Airlie Beach.