Hamilton Island Race Week never disappoints, and this year’s Nautilus Marine Insurance Classic races provided a thrilling day of racing for competitors.
As a proud partner of Hamilton Island Race Week, Nautilus Marine Insurance has been delighted to join competitors and organisers in celebrating the 39th running of the prestigious regatta.
Hamilton Island Race Week officially opened at the Nautilus Marine Insurance Yacht Owners and Skippers Cocktail Party on the Saturday evening, and quickly got into full swing with 164 vessels taking to racecourses in idyllic Whitsundays conditions. Overall, six days of racing make up Hamilton Island Race Week. On Tuesday many of the yachts stretched their legs as the popular Nautilus Marine Insurance Classic Long Race and the Nautilus Marine Insurance Classic Medium race tested crew work and tactics.
Beautiful Conditions at Hamilton Island Race Week. – Photo – Salty Dingo.
Wild Oats X in her home waters – Hamilton Island Race Week. Photo – Salty Dingo.
Winner of IRC Rating Division Rating Gold in the Nautilus Marine Classic Long Race was the 2006 Reichel Pugh 66 Alive from the Derwent Sailing Club in Tasmania. “It was a phenomenal day,” said Justin Ferris, Alive’s tactician. “Over four and a half hours racing, and we were never more than four boat lengths away from Wild Oats X. We were bedding in some new crew, preparing for the future, and they worked extremely hard. They all enjoyed themselves though, especially with the result. I sail in about 20 regattas a year and Hamilton Island Race Week is easily one of the best.”
The Reichel Pugh 52 Virago made the trip to Queensland from Sydney by road and the crew then wasted no time in getting things ready for the week of competition. Tactician Andrew Parkes has competed in over 20 Hamilton Island Race Weeks. “It’s always interesting racing. The islands and the tides make it quite tactical, and the scenery makes it an absolute pleasure. This year we had quite light conditions, Virago prefers a bit more pressure and we got some towards the end of the week.”
Nautilus Marine Insurance Classic Medium Race entrants – Hamilton Island Race Week – TP52 Class. Photo – Salty Dingo.
Division 1 at Hamilton Island Race Week heading off on the Nautilus Marine Insurance Classic Long Race. Photo – Salty Dingo
Taking home a divisional third place after a week of racing was Toybox 2, owned by Ian Box, Chairman of Special Events at Middle Harbour Yacht Club which is host of the popular Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta. Including crew, partners and families, the whole Toybox 2 team amounted to 20 people. “My first Hamilton Island Race week was in 1998 when I was convinced to enter. I was glad I did as we won the cruising division that year,” said Ian. “We all had an absolute ball this year as well.”
“Hamilton Island Race Week is special,” said Mark Richards, skipper of Wild Oats X, which placed second in the Nautilus Marine Classic Long Race. “For the regatta to be in its 39th year is testament to the event. On behalf of all the sailors who attended Race Week I also want to thank Nautilus Marine Insurance for their amazing support.”
Hamilton Island Race Week (L) Lyndon Turner CEO Nautilus Marine Insurance (R) Peter Brulisauer CEO Hamilton Island. Photo – Salty Dingo.
Nautilus Marine Insurance CEO Lyndon Turner and his team were on Hamilton Island for the regatta, supporting the sailing community. “The 2024 Hamilton Island Race Week was a resounding success. Many of our Nautilus Marine Insurance customers competed in Race Week this year, and I would also like to pay tribute to the organising committee and the Hamilton Island team. This is our third year of partnering with Race Week and I know how much work goes into ensuring that the week is a success both on and off the water.”
Following on from Hamilton Island Race Week, Nautilus Marine Insurance continues its support of North Queensland racing as a proud partner of SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week (29 August – 4 September). This year marks the 17th edition of Townsville Yacht Club’s well-loved regatta, which always provides a unique atmosphere and a great end to the Queensland regatta circuit.
Hamilton Island Race Week. Photo – Salty Dingo
About Hamilton Island Race Week
Hamilton Island Race Week is one of Australia’s favourite yachting events and a firm fixture on the international sailing calendar. Every August, spectators and sailors from around the globe sail to Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef for what is recognised as Australia’s largest offshore keelboat regatta.
The 39th edition of Hamilton Island Race Week was staged from 17-24 August, when 164 boats and around 2000 sailors, their families and friends, gathered at the jewel of the Whitsundays to enjoy the convivial atmosphere and unique camaraderie of the on-water and on-shore carnival.
Hamilton Island Enterprises Limited ACN 009 946 909.
Visit www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au
About Nautilus Marine Insurance
Nautilus Marine Insurance are a leading provider of insurance solutions for recreational vessels and marine business assets across Australia and New Zealand, protecting over 45,000 vessel owners and marine industry members. For over 19 years, Nautilus Marine Insurance has been a specialist supplier of insurance for pleasure craft and marine business assets and liability insurance. Nautilus Marine Insurance provides coverage for pleasure craft of all sizes, ranging from sailing dinghies and PWCs through to yachts, runabouts, and luxury motor yachts as well as commercially operated boats and marine businesses. Through its Industry Lines division Nautilus Marine Insurance also specialises in providing tailored business insurance for clients servicing the recreational boating market including marina operators and owners, yacht clubs and boat clubs, boat dealerships and most marine trades including boat repairers and boat service providers. Thousands of professional insurance advisers and brokers choose to work with Nautilus Marine Insurance. These insurance experts trust the breadth of Nautilus Marine Insurance’s products and claims support to recommend our products and services to their clients. Nautilus Marine Insurance has a passionate team of over 90 staff and offices across Australia and New Zealand. Nautilus Marine Insurance is a business name of NM Insurance Pty Ltd.
ABN 34 100 633 038, AFSL 227186. Visit www.nautilusinsurance.com.au
