Race Week: fabulous fun sailing with family and friends

18 to 27 August 2023

We had so much fun at this year’s Hamilton Island Race Week. Best of all, Debonnaire won the Prix d’Elegance for best dressed boat and crew. Congratulations to Jane for her creativity and organisation. The whole crew enjoyed dressing up and being part of the parade.

The week began with the crew arriving at the airport to much fanfare.

There were 21 in our group. The core crew comprised 11 of our regular sailors. We had space for 14 on the boat, so we were able to have a few extras each day to join us on the water. Everyone who wanted to sail around the Whitsunday islands had an opportunity to jump aboard.

We had warm, sunny weather and fresh winds for the regatta. There were 6 races during the week, and we spent about 5-6 hours on the boat each day. Long days on the water and fun nights ashore made it a busy and tiring regatta. We finished 15th in our division.

Just as well we had lots of crew for substitutions. Several were sidelined for various reasons, including injury, fatigue from back-to-back long races, unavoidable work commitments, long lunches or, less specifically, for being at sea too long. We were fortunate to have plenty of medical expertise in the crew to look after a couple of our serious injuries. We had two GPs, with support from an intensive care nurse, and backup from four first aiders and an occupational therapist. And if all that failed, we even had a vet. Thankfully, the injured will recover fully.

There were plenty of shore-based activities to enjoy: gourmet lunches, bush walking, off-the-beach sailing, go-cart racing, relaxing under a palm tree, swimming in a pool, and more.

A highlight was a cruise to Whitehaven Beach for a picnic on the mid-week lay-day.

If you’re ever looking for accommodation on Hamilton Island, I recommend The Edge. We booked three apartments. They’re spacious, modern apartments with spectacular views. They were perfect for watching yacht racing, whales breeching, and the sun setting.

We had a sensational time during Race Week and enjoyed fun times with family and friends. Thank you to Andrew & Jane, Lawry & Laurice, Brian & Margot, Jane, Christy, Callum, David & Rosie, Anne & Steve, Eliz & Richard, Karen & Phil, and Andy & Darren. Special thanks to Catherine, who was invaluable in making so many things happen.

Thank you to all who took amazing photos and videos of our fabulous week. I was too preoccupied to take my own. I hope you don’t mind me using your pictures in this post.