Audi Hamilton Island race week website

Within two hours of the site www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au going on-line, eight owners had lodged their entries, and since then the number has been climbing steadily, said officials.

"This year, AHIRW will have the added appeal of the Silver Jubilee celebrations, so I see it that last year's record of 217 entries will be exceeded," said the race director, Denis Thompson.

"The actual list of entries will be updated on a regular basis on the website. From here on it's going to be fun to watch the list grow, right up until just before racing starts," he said.

Hamilton Island's owner, Bob Oatley, who will be competing with his 66ft canting keel racer, Wild Oats X, has promised that this year's event will be bigger and better than ever.

"Our plan for this 25th anniversary regatta is to celebrate Race Week's significant advances over the years, and to build on the outstanding success we achieved last year," said Oatley.

"We will be making some more exciting additions to the entire program in 2008, and I am sure the sailors, their families and friends will appreciate them as the week progresses.

"These developments are part of our underlying resolve to see AHIRW continue to set new standards, and to retain its position as Australia's premier keelboat regatta," Oatley said. 

There will be nine principal divisions this year to cover the full spectrum of competing yachts, from Grand Prix IRC Racing to Non-Spinnaker Cruising. To make for even better racing, some of the divisions with large entry lists will be split into two or more categories just prior to the event.

"We have changed the names of some of the divisions this time to better reflect the style of yachts competing," explained Thompson.

"In particular, we will be working very hard to protect the interests of the genuine cruising guys who have been the backbone of the Race Week fleet from the outset," he said.

For further info, visit www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au