Sunsail charter catamarans are to be included in the Cruising Divisions at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011. Image courtesy Sunsail.
by Rob Mundle
Cruising yachts – privately owned and chartered – represent a significant and important part of the fleet at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, and because of this, the regatta organisers have decided to expand the charter opportunities for competitors this year.
As well as having chartered monohulls racing in the spinnaker and non-spinnaker cruising divisions, charter catamarans from the Sunsail fleet based at Hamilton Island will be able to compete as a class as well.
‘Multihulls are an expanding part of our sport, and this change is reflected in charter fleets around the world,’ said Hamilton Island’s CEO and world champion yachtsman, Glenn Bourke. ‘There are now eleven production catamarans available for charter through Sunsail here on the island, and we see no reason why they can’t be part of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.’
Regatta Director Denis Thompson agrees, adding that it is important for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week to keep moving with the times. He confirmed that the charter catamarans would be sailing the same courses as the Non-Spinnaker Cruising class yachts.
The catamarans available for this year’s regatta, which will be staged from 19 – 27 August, range in length from 11.5 metres to 14 metres and can carry between eight and 12 crew. They are either Leopard or Lagoon cruising designs.
There are 23 yachts already entered for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2011. The owners of these yachts, and their crews, plus anyone else planning to be at the regatta this year, will benefit from the ‘Early Bird’ accommodation discount if they make their bookings before 31 March.
Hamilton Island Race Week’s naming rights sponsor, luxury car maker Audi, is Australia’s largest corporate sponsor of yachting.
The Notice of Race, including the entry form, has been posted on the regatta website – www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au
