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Anticipation is mounting for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

Excitement is building in the run up to next month’s Audi Hamilton Island Race Week (19th-27th August 2011), Australia’s largest and most prestigious offshore yachting event.  With 100 entries received to date, a new Superyacht division for motor yachts and a stellar social programme, Hamilton Island’s 28th annual regatta is set to be a runaway success. Offshore highlights will include:
  • New motor Superyacht division
  • New entries including radical new 42-footer Grand Prix racer, ‘QÂ’, and the Superyacht ‘Janice of WyomingÂ’ , designed by prominent English superyacht specialist, Ed Dubois
  • Past contenders such as supermaxi ‘LoyalÂ’ as well as five-times Rolex Sydney to Hobart winner, ‘Wild Oats XIÂ’
  • Categories for top-class racers ‘Grand PrixÂ’, an IRC Passage class for modern fast-cruising yachts, performance racing and sports boat classes. There are also cruising, corporate, bareboat and non-spinnaker divisions
Onshore highlights will include:
  • Audi will present Australian fashion designer Collette DinniganÂ’s ‘Collette Dinnigan Cruise Collection 2011Â’ at Hamilton IslandÂ’s exclusive qualia resort.  For the first time, Collette will also show her diffusion line ‘Collette by Collette DinniganÂ’ as part of the Wild Oats Ladies Lunch to be held at the iconic Hamilton Island Yacht Club
  • The stylish Moet & Chandon lunch and the Audi Robert Oatley Vineyards chefsÂ’ table dinners with celebrity Australian chefs Matt Moran from acclaimed Aria restaurant and MelbourneÂ’s Shannon Bennett from Vue de monde
  • Pandora will once again host its jewellery styling workshops with top tips from Australian HarperÂ’s BAZAARÂ’s fashion editors
  • Golf clinics with Golf Pro Craig Parry, to bring performances up to par at the new championship Hamilton Island Golf Club
  • On Lay Day, Wednesday 24 August, Hamilton IslandÂ’s ‘Great Barrier Reef AirportÂ’ runway will turn into a thrilling drive test challenge devised by AudiÂ’s motorsport champion. To win the major prize at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, a new Audi A1, all crews must demonstrate skills both in sailing and driving with the final winner being chosen from the divisional winners and the Audi Final Drive Challenge. The winning crew will be announced at the presentation dinner on the regattaÂ’s final day

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.

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