Photography & Imaging by Paul Cincotta
Pre de Elegance contender Rex
Holy Cow!
Rex sailing from the dent to Whitsunday Passage
The two 66 footers who wont stop match racing each other.
Todays cruising division raced for around 5 hours leading them into gorgeous afternoon light.
These sailors were seeing red.
Lisa Hunt had all of this evenings crowd dancing. This Lady has soul!
Click to view more images from the 2009 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.
We finally had some wind today allowing the 197 yachts to compete in some light yet reasonably consistent weather.
Due to the lack of wind yesterday multiple races were run to allow the competitors to get some races on the results board.
Dent island was also a feature of the regatta today with the inaugural Dent island Golf day replacing the traditional whitehaven beach party.
The Whitehaven beach party however still occurred, without hamilton Island or Regatta officials involvement, and there were rumours of some yachties boycotting Dent island on purpose because of the whitehaven beach party exclusion in this years fixture. Nevertheless everyone had a great day as once again the Whitsunday’s turned on the weather.
Well there might not of been any sailing today, but after a big night with James Reyne the night before there was plenty to do on Hamilton Island to keep the crews occupied for the day off from sailing. (it Is hard work you know :-)
The Safari Boys playing at the cats eye Beach Marquee
The Beach House Luncheon.
The Camilla Fashion parade for the Moet & Chandon qualia Long Pavillion lunch
The Coral Sea Swim, a 1 kilometer Race.
Touch football with Gordon Tallis on Hamilton Islands Cats Eye Beach
The Audi Driver Challenge on Hamilton Islands Airport Runway
Day 3 of the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week saw light winds again playing tricks on the fleet, and while the IRC divisions started with a breeze at the southern start line, the cruising divisions on the eastern start line were the only boats to get consistent breeze all day.
Race Week Radio Morning broadcast with special guest Denis Thompson Regatta director
The IRC Divisions getting off to a great start.
A light consistent breeze stayed with cruising divisions all day.
One of the stronger gusts of the day taking the sailors back to port
Australian rock legend James Reyne, lighting the boys up!
Whitsunday’s again turned on the gorgeous perfect weather which unfortunately isn’t always the best for sailing as generally you need a bit of wind to get around the course. Eventually the breeze picked up, but was fickle through out the day and tested the sailors tactics.
Looking, Looking, Looking for wind.
Just hanging out waiting for wind.
The IRC division eventually found some wind on the Eastern Start Line
Between races the whales were having a splash of a time
Looking for wind again in the afternoon.
Wild Oats taking advantage in the light conditions.
It was essentially just a really beautiful day with a few puffs of wind.
Loki running with the wind.
The cruising division were eventually moved from the southern start line to the north of Hamilton Island in the whitsunday passage.
Light and fickle breezes saw the leaders in the IRC change rapidly until Blackjack got the edge and was able to make Lindeman island right on the turn of the tide, which ultimately put them more minutes in front over the finish line.
It was a spinnaker start for most classes in amazing whitsunday weather
Blackjack Leading the charge around Lindeman Island
With light breezes there was plenty of time for other endeavors.
Everyone wanted to be on the water today!
Blackjack crossing the line more than 10 minutes in front of the field.
The sun setting over Hamilton Islands Yacht Club. What a day!
This evening marked the opening of the 2009 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. And it all started with a bang of fireworks as the brand new Hamilton Island Yacht Club was officially opened by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh. Around 500 guests including the skippers and navigators of the 194 boats competing were there to celebrate the opening. Sailors, spectators and island locals were then entertained by Daddy Cool & Mondo Rock front man Ross Wilson & the international cover band Plastique.
The Islands newest addition, The Hamilton Island Yacht Club
Fireworks over Hamilton Island Marina for the start of the 2009 Audi Race Week.
Daddy Cool & Mondo Roack front man Ross Wilson.
Revelers party the night away to herald the start of Race Week.
Cover Band Plastique photographer through plastic.
