Fun in the Sun - Whitsundays

by North Sails, Australia on 16 Oct 2016 Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island and Magnetic Race Weeks all had record number of participants. Hamilton Island continues to be the biggest event and the 2016 Audi Hamilton Island race week was bigger than ever with over 300 boats racing in 14 divisions. It was a fitting tribute to Bob Oatley, patriarch of the Oatley family who passed away earlier this year. Hamilton Island was Bob's favourite event of the year and he would have been happy with the massive turnout from all over Australia.

The racing divisions were fertile ground for North Sails clients. In Division A Karl Kwoke's Beau Geste won a hard fought series from Matt Allen and his team on board Ichi Ban. These two boats took first and second in every race except one. Both boats flew 3Di Raw sails and between them the won every race in this competitive fleet with six out of nine entries using North Sails.

In division B Steve Barlow and his crew on Forty dominated winning four out of seven races. Forty flew North 3Di raw sails also to show great boat speed and skill on the way to taking a well-deserved win.

In what is quickly becoming the most competitive fleet at race week entries in the Cruising divisions where high with all three fleets having 20+ boats. In Cruising Three Lauren and Chris Thorpes Hanse 505 Miss MInx where the winners. Miss Minx flew a 3Di headsail and North A2 and G Zero gennakers and had a lot of fun on the way to victory!

Ervin Vidor had his beautiful CNB 76 Charlotte at race week this year. Nick Beaudion North Sails service manager made a house call to oversee the commissioning of the new inflatable Kite Snuffer which is very practical for storage on larger boats and is particularly good for protecting Carbon Masts like Charlotte's.

Charlotte showed a clean pair of heals against the Division One fleet which included a number of 80 foot Maxi Yachts and former Volvo boats, and finishing fourth on handicap.

For the tenth year the North Sails service loft was up and running on the island. Luckily conditions were light for most of the week so there were not too many late nights.

North Sails Michael Coxon with Noel 'Nitro' Drennan off Concubine recutting a headsail pre regatta. Nitro then headed to the UK finishing third in the Etchells Worlds in Cowes.

Well done to all competitors and see you next year!