Funding boost for Whitsunday Clipper Race Carnival

by Tourism Whitsundays on 30 Sep 2017 The Whitsunday Clipper Race Carnival received a welcome injection of cash this week when it was announced the event would receive $200,000 in Federal Government 'matched' funding. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen and Whitsunday Mayor Andrew Willcox at Abell Point Marina, which will host the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in January 2018.

The Whitsunday Clipper Race Carnival is being staged to celebrate the region being a host port for the race, an epic adventure that sees more than 700 amateur crew members and experienced skippers sail in a 40,000 nautical mile race around the globe.

When the 12 yachts pull into Abell Point Marina on January 13 they will bring with them not only the attention of the world's media but also friends, family and supporters, attracting more than 4,000 visitors in total and injecting around $3 million into the local economy. The Whitsunday Clipper Race Carnival will run from January 13 to 29 and is a region-wide celebration for everyone – the race participants, their followers, the local community and visitors from around Australia.

There will be plenty of events and activities throughout the 17-day extravaganza including an official Welcome Event in Airlie Beach, a 'White on Whitehaven' Long Lunch, a 'Coast to Cane' golf day, a 'Rodeo by the Reef' and a progressive lunch sailing from restaurant to restaurant!

Tourism Whitsundays' Sales & Marketing Manager Tash Wheeler said hosting the Clipper fleet would further enhance the Whitsundays' reputation as a world-class sailing venue. “The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is a unique event that attracts worldwide publicity and we are extremely proud to have been chosen as an official host port,” she said.

“It will reinforce our standing as a world-class sailing destination and it also gives us the opportunity to promote the whole region and showcase how much beauty there is from the north to the south. We would encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the carnival activities and events, many of which are free, and make our visiting sailors feel truly welcome. Invite your friends and family to visit and make the most of this exciting time.”

The Whitsunday Clipper Race Carnival was secured through a partnership between Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Whitsundays, Whitsunday Regional Council and Abell Point Marina. Mayor Willcox welcomed the announcement and said hosting the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in the Whitsundays was a massive coup for the region.

“This support from the Federal Government will allow Airlie Beach to host the final Australian leg of the race and give skippers, international crews and supporters the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Whitsunday region,” he said. 'The Whitsundays Clipper Race Carnival will highlight the whole region with signature events such as a long lunch on iconic Whitehaven Beach, a rodeo on the coastal beaches of Bowen, a golf day in Proserpine and a large scale community welcome event.”

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was founded in 1995 and is a biennial event. This year the fleet set sail from the UK on Sunday, August 20, on their 11-month voyage with the Whitsundays the official host port for the final stop of the race's Australian leg.

For more information visit www.whitsundayclipperrace.com.au.