Hamilton Island Race Week is a keelboat

Keelboat

Keelboat has two distinct meanings related to two different types of boats: one a riverine cargo-capable working boat, and the other a classification for small- to mid-sized recreational sailing yachts.-Historical keel-boats:...

 regatta

Regatta

A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas...

 set against the backdrop of the Whitsunday Islands

Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsunday Islands are a collection of continental islands of various sizes off the central coast of Queensland, Australia, situated between just south of Bowen and to the north of Mackay, some north of Brisbane. The island group is centred on Whitsunday Island, while the group's commercial...

, on Queensland's Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world'slargest reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres over an area of approximately...

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History

Race Week was conceived by David Hutchen in 1983, after he had moved to the Whitsundays with his yacht Banjo Paterson to start a yacht charter business. David was able to convince the then owner and founder of Hamilton Island, Keith Williams, to agree to hosting the event as a way of generating tourism and favorable media attention to the resort.

A three man Race Committee was formed, David Hutchen, Warwick Hoban and Leon O’Donoghue. For the first few years the event was these three committeemen were heavily involved in all elements of organising and running the regatta as well as social activities.

The first event was in April 1984 with a fleet of 93 boats contesting. For the next few years the fleet was down around 60 boats, but grew gradually.

For the first eight years Race Week was held in April, starting on the first Saturday after Easter. Southern boats sailed up the coast in the Sydney to Mooloolaba race, and then the Brisbane to Gladstone race at Easter, then made their way to Hamilton Island. It meant that those southern Australian boats were having to leave their home base before the end of the summer sailing season, which wasn’t as appealing as the prospect of doing some winter sailing in warmer climates.

After eight years of having Race Week in April, it was moved to August in 1992 to take advantage of more consistent and attractive weather conditions. The change in timing has seen the event grow significantly over the years becoming Australia's largest offshore yachting regatta with approximately 250 boats expected to contest the 25th Anniversary event in 2008.

Race records

• South Molle/Daydream Is Race — 2005: Alfa Romeo - 1:51:01 (Neville Crichton)

• Coral Sea Race (83.3 miles):
  • Fastest — 1998: Brindabella
    Brindabella
    Brindabella may refer to:* Brindabella Airlines* Brindabella Business Park, part of Canberra International Airport* Brindabella College in O'Conner, Australian Capital Territory* Brindabella electorate* The Brindabella Ranges* Brindabella National Park...
    
    - 8:49:52 (George Snow)
  • Slowest — 2001: Step Ahead - 24:24:56)(Glenn Tailby)

• Edward Island Race (modified course) — 2007: Wild Oats X- 5:11:27 (Bob Oatley)

• Lindeman Island Race — 2005: Alfa Romeo - 1:58:34 (Neville Crichton)

Off-water events

Hamilton Island Race Week has a number of social events at the island resort during the racing week. The most famous event is the Whitehaven Beach Party where boats from all over the Whitsunday region converge on the white sands of Whitehaven beach to drink, eat, and dance in a festival celebration to mark the end of race week.