It's the biggest thing to happen on the Australian Sailing calendar since the Sydney to Hobart, and in 2016 the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week schedule is jam packed with events both on and off the water.

A critical year for the event, 2016 will be the first year running the Hamilton Island Race week without its creator (and primary funding source) Bob Oatley around to share in the festivities. For 11 years he's been the figurehead to the race week monarchy, always in attendance and always stoked to sharing his private island with a few thousand Aussie sailors. Dieing of natural causes a few months ago, sailors around the world paid their respects, noting the great things Bob did for the sport of sailing. Don't worry though, his family are keen to continue his legacy, splashing out on the usual affair of glitz and glamour off the water, balanced with furious sailing action on the water.

This year will see not just the Audi Hamilton Island Race week action in the Whitsundays, but several championships including the Australian Yachting Championship and the Australian Multihull Nationals. Conditions in Dent Passage and the surrounding islands are perfect for multihulls, with small swells and tricky tidal sections making it both challenging and heaps of fun. In the main divisions of Race week, expect the usual IRC machines battling on the short courses, and the cruising divisions spending the day racing around island courses to take in the spectacular scenery.

Now to explain that quote in the headline, that's the CEO of Hamilton Island, Glenn Bourke giving his closing speech at last years presentation. "You consumed 106,000 beers, six tons of beef, 3,000 sausage rolls, and ... one apple." Sounds about for a sailing regatta, although he did forget to mention the megalitres of vintage champagne, wine and spirits served up to the socialites onshore.

Racing kicks off on the 20th August 2016, but race crews are already well into their planning, so if you want to jump aboard a boat, get down to your local club and see who's making the trip to Hamilton Island. It's a week you'll never forget!!

Entry details and Notice of Race can be found on the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week website here.

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