Releases

MEDIA RELEASE 4 September, 2024                                                                           

SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week: Scores tallied – winners declared

SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week 2024 ended abruptly this morning as conditions dictated there would be no further racing and therefore winners were declared based on overnight’s pointscores at another wonderful week of sailing in the Townsville Yacht Club hosted event.

This morning Principal Race Officer, Denis Thompson, had to make a difficult call as to whether racing would be held.

Monitoring the situation, wind whistling in the background, Thompson told his team, “After consideration of everything we know and even though the breeze has dropped a little, the forecast by midday shows the wind will be back up to 30 knots. All the weather models align, so the decision is, no racing today.”

Therefore, results stand. Those divisions that contested five races, SeaLink Spinnaker Division 1 and Sports Boats, have a drop factored into their final scores, while the remaining divisions were scored on all four races sailed.

Having recently won the Sports Boat Nationals and the Sports Boats division at the Ocean Dynamics and Mount Gay Airlie Beach Race Week, Julian Bethwaite has backed up to win here as well. Don’t Panic (NSW), his self-designed 89er, pipped local boat, Bambalam (Justin Van Stom’s Thompson 7), by a lone point. The two were outstanding all week.

“Three wins from three events – perfect,” Bethwaite said. “This is a great event. It always has been. We don’t come here to win, we come here to have a great time. We just have to come up with a different scoring system for the sports boats here, but it’s great to win anyway.”

On the final race being called off, Bethwaite said, “I think Denis made the right decision in calling the race off. It’s not an easy decision, but he made a good call.”

Gordon Ketelebey’s TP52, Zen (NSW), won Division 1 from Bobby’s Girl, the Farr 40 chartered by Rob Reynolds (NSW). Zen did not look promising on the first day after finishing seventh, but her crew rallied, adding two wins and dropping the seventh.

Jason Lea enjoyed a solid regatta with Pali Pali from Brisbane, outsailing his nearest, Rhomberg Sersa Australia (Rod Sweeney, Qld) by four points to win the trophy. Dennis Coleman finished third with Mistress (Qld), a little unlucky, as they dropped down when the rudder broke in the Round the Island Race, forcing their retirement.

“I was looking forward to going out today, but we’ve won anyway. The Race Committee made the right decision. Our Club does the same. You have to look after members and the smaller boats.

“Thanks to my crew, Frank, who sails with me in Brisbane and Adrian and Allie. I also roped in a couple of guys from the Island, Brendan and Luke from Nomads backpackers, I want to thank them all,” a thrilled Lea said.

“Absolutely wonderful to win. Three years ago I went to Hamilton Island for the first time having no idea how the hold system worked. We won by one point from Rhomberg and the same thing has happened here at my first Maggie Island. It’s downhill from here,” he said laughing.

“The whole atmosphere here is great. You can’t compare it to anywhere else, Peppers has been so good to us, the social side has been marvellous and the other thing that impressed me was the bus service around the Island. We’ve loved it here,” Lea said.

Matt Doyle sailed to the top of Spinnaker Division 2 with La Troisieme Mitemps, a Beneteau Sense 50 from NSW. However, it was as close as, with Graeme Amey’s Yknot (NSW) placing second on countback in their hard fought series.

Chris Morgan’s La Quinta (Qld) won Division 3 in their tight series. Second and third were decided on countback, so it was Matt and Ben Kingsberry’s Amaya II (Qld) that finished ahead of Andrew Clark’s Single Malt (Vic).

“We’ve had a great week. I’ve done lots of regattas and this one tops it. It my first time here and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. The really nice thing about here is that everyone is close together so you see everyone. Nice to see so many white sails instead of the carbon ones too! I think we’ll be back, we have to defend our title,” Morgan ended.

It seems a week for Zens, as Zen and the Art of Sailing, a local Cavalier 34 owned by Jack Maguire, outsailed his contemporaries to take out Division 4. The margin was two points to Wayne McNee’s Celebrity (Vic). Vicki Hamilton’s local Akarana completed the trio.

“It was a fantastic week of sailing, the conditions were just perfect for us,” Maguire said of the breeze that was mainly at the lighter end of the scale, though yesterday it reached 18 knots.

“We’ve only missed one Race Week and this is our first win. I have a wonderful crew who’ve sailed together a long time. I want to thank Denis Thompson and the volunteers who did a great job. Denis does a magic job setting courses and running races.”

On the overall event, Maguire said, “It’s always pleasant afterwards with the socials – after a bit of argy bargy on the course sometimes. 

The Non-Spinnaker division was claimed by Janette Syme’s Espera from the host club. Four and five points respectively distanced her from Joe Niven’s Daylight, also from the host club and Dan White and Nikki Abbott’s Riff Raff from the Whitsundays.

Mike Steel, Event Chairman, commented, “I think feedback from everyone is that they had a great time. We gave prizes to fourth and fifth places as well, because we had to abandon racing and there were some close scores. Those people were appreciative.”

On the event as a whole, Steel said, “We have a really good model that has evolved over 14 years, so I don’t think we need to make any changes.

“I want to sing some praise to Peppers (Blue on Blue). This year has been just terrific and it’s been a really enjoyable experience.

“So many people travel a lot of miles to be here so we are forever thankful for our competitors,” Steel ended.

It’s been a wonderful week of racing and social activities, thanks to TYC, the sponsors, event manager Jodie Kennedy and the entourage of people, especially the volunteers, the Club brings in to make the week the success it is. However, SMIRW would not be without the competitors. We hope to see you back in 2025.

Tonight, the official presentation dinner at Peppers Race Headquarters closes SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week.

And remember for next year folks, this year sold out in 12 minutes…

For all information including full results please visit: www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au 

By Di Pearson/SMIRW media

**Ends**

Please credit photos as attached

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MIRW2024

And on Instagram: #miraceweek

Further information: Di Pearson, SMIRW media manager, phone: 0410 792 131

MEDIA RELEASE 2 September, 2024                                                                                                  

SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week: Perfect day for Round the Island Race

Zen (NSW) has taken the overall lead of Spinnaker Division 1 on Day 4 at SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week (SMIRW) 2024, in The Yacht Sales Co. Race Day Round the Island Race, in what has been an exceptionally close series with the overall lead changing after each race.

This was ‘Zen’ master Gordon Ketelbey’s second win in as many days with his TP52. “It was quite a lot windier than the previous days. We were hoping to get a bit more but it was enough. It was a very pleasant day’s sailing, but a bit bumpy towards the end as we worked up to the finish. 

“Hopefully tomorrow will happen,” Ketelbey said, referring to the final race that will conclude Townsville Yacht Club’s 17^th edition of SMIRW. This comment follows on from Principal Race Officer Denis Thompson’s advice that the wind could be as much as 25-30 knots and that could create an unpleasant seaway. Thompson will make a call to race – or not - in the morning.

Greg Tobin’s Sydney 38, 38 (Qld) made her mark today with second place from Zen and in front of the Rob Reynolds chartered Farr 40, Bobby’s Girl.

Brett and Jacinta Cooper’s Hanse 54, Katana (Tas), was top scorer in Division 2 from Matt Doyle’s La Troisieme Mitemps and Graeme Amey’s Yknot. The latter two NSW boats are currently top two respectively in the division on equal points.

“The weather was finally right for us – it got up to 18 knots – but mainly 15 knots. A beautiful day for the Round the Island Race. The boat (Katana) is heavy and she likes this kind of breeze. We’re happy with today – finally up to fourth overall,” Jacinta said, adding that Katana is for sale. 

“We’ve just bought an MC38, Game On 2 from South Australia, so we’re selling the Hanse 54,” Jacinta revealed. The Tasmanian couple has owned a wide range of boats from a Melges 32, a Beneteau 57, The Hanse and an SB20! 

Division 3 went to Andrew Mitchell’s Fahrenheit, a modified Farr 11.6 representing the event’s host club. Chris Morgan’s La Quinta, current leader of the pointscore, was second. La Quinta also won the best dressed crew on Saturday, looking resplendent in pineapple shirts and hats, so they are on a roll.

“I had a crew of six, had a good start, a good upwind, good downwind and fast second upwind, where we overtook a few. We got up to about 18 knots on the course, it was good,” Mitchell shared.

“Amaya and Brava were the two boats that we had good competition with. We overtook Brava (Tony and Selena Muller’s Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 from the host club also) on the last leg. It was a little rough coming back, around a metre swell, but not too bad. The upwind really suits us. The crew is happy – including the owner/skipper,” Mitchell said.

“We’re prepared to race tomorrow, but we’ll have to wait and see what the weather and race management decide,” he ended.

Lindsay Powell’s Fandango had the goods in Division 4, the Victorian’s best result by far. He pipped Gary Donnellan’s Matilda V (Qld), by just over a minute. Both boats are Beneteau Oceanis  411’s, so that’s what you call good handicapping and good racing. 

“We are feeling terrific. We’ve been playing ‘We are the Champions’, ‘Scaramouche’ and ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ (the first line says: ‘We skipped the light fandango) – loudly,” an excited Fandango owner said. 

“We are ecstatic. It’s been a long journey to get here (from Geelong), but we knew it was going to be worth it, because it’s such an excellent event. This is the third time we’ve been here, but usually we race with John Kint (on Bundaberg). We just love this regatta,” Powell said.

“We are absolutely delighted, as our friends came up and jumped on board the boat and we also discovered there was another Beneteau Oceanis here, the same as ours (Matilda V) and they are such nice people. It was a lovely race and we enjoyed every minute,” Powell ended. 

Ashore this morning I caught up with Lyndy Sawbridge, co-owner and skipper of the Bavaria 38, Helena May, with her husband Chris. You would normally find the pair out racing at SMIRW, which they have won before, but not this year. The handy duo decided on another tack, pardon the pun! 

The Sawbridges are giving back by joining the volunteers in Denis Thompson’s race management team – their first stint in this role.

“I’m really enjoying it. It’s very educational,” said Lyndy, a member of Townsville Yacht Club. “I’ve got a new appreciation for the amount of work it takes to run a regatta – and they’ve put me on the protest committee as well. I sit and critique everyone’s mistakes now,” she said, laughing.

“Seriously, it’s been really good. I hope it inspires a few other people to take it on. We’ve had quite few thankyous from different competitors, both on the water and ashore. It’s nice to be appreciated,” she said before heading out on the water with the rest of the start crew after the morning’s briefing session.

Racing concludes tomorrow, followed by Peppers Race Day Presentation Night.

For all information including results, please visit: www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au

By Di Pearson/SMIRW media

MEDIA RELEASE 2 September, 2024                                                                                                  

SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week: A change of pace and winners

Layday at SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week 2024 was enjoyed by all yesterday, but today it was back to serious business for ‘It’s Live in Queensland Race Day’, when Division 1 and the Sports Boats were put through their paces with two windward/leeward races each, while the rest were set one longer course.

The Rob Reynolds chartered Farr 40, Bobby’s Girl (NSW), took out Race 3 in Spinnaker Division 1’s first race of the day, while Gordon Ketelbey sailed his TP52, Zen (NSW) to a win in 4.

Even so, it’s the Malcolm Roe chartered DK46, Amazing Nizam (NSW), that sits atop the leaderboard due to slightly more consistent results. However, that scoreboard is so close, just two points separate the top five boats.

“The first one (race) we loved,” Reynolds said of victory in Race 3. Not so much the second one,” he said of seventh place. The breeze was only 5-6 knots in the first one. The second one was up to 9 knots. It was a good breeze, a bit light for us, but everyone else had to suffer too.  

“We had to do two races and everyone seemed to enjoy it. The Race Committee sent us on an appropriate course. Full marks to them.”

Sydneysider Reynolds brought the sails from his Farr 40 here to Magnetic Island. “Easier than bringing my Farr 40 here,” he said laughing. “This is my fifth year here - you get used to Maggie,” he said of the Island that lives up to its name.

Amaya II (Qld) had the goods in Division 2, her timely win moving her into contention for the overall win. Owned by Ben and Matthew Kingsley, their Farr 11.6 moved up to third place but is on equal points with John and Andrew McDougall’s Mac 2 after the latter scored 11^th today, her worst result (I think she underwent a handicap adjustment) following a pair of wins.

Second place in Race 3 handed Andrew Clark’s Adams 10, Single Malt, a one point overall advantage on the aforementioned pair though.

“It’s been a fabulous regatta and I’m enjoying it immensely,” Clark said this afternoon.  “Fabulous people, fabulous location, fabulous sailing, fabulous everything,” he enthused. “This is my sixth time here and the third with my own boat. It’s the best regatta in Queensland!” 

Today’s racing, he said, “Was beautiful – champagne sailing. Sunshine, blue skies, nice breeze, everyone sailing along nicely. Everyone is being very respectful, no crashes, very tidy, nobody barging the start.

“The course took us right over to the other side of Cleveland then all way to White Rock and home, sitting in 10-12 knots. It dropped to 8-9 knots, depending on where you were on the course and we had nice flat seas, no swell. The breeze was just enough to keep you nice and cool. It doesn’t get any better than this.” 

Jason Lea’s Pali Pali (Qld) continued her solid form in the regatta to-date, adding a second win to the scorecard to retain the Multihull Division lead. Rod Sweeney’s Rhomberg Sersa Australia (Qld) placed second, her best result so far.

The crew of Julian Bethwaite’s Bethwaite 89er, Don’t Panic, let their heads go and moved to the top of the Sports Boat division following third and first places in the day’s two races. However, yesterday’s leader, Justin Van Stom’s Thompson 7, Bambalam, is on equal points.

It has been interesting observing one pristine and beautifully dressed mature crew over the past few days – butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths. I’d met one of them on the ferry coming over to the Island on Thursday (we’ll call him ‘Lord Barry’ for anonymity sakes).

Lord Barry shared the crew’s dark little secret with me. He gleefully revealed their cache of golden amber, otherwise known as rum, disguised in a musician’s case. I was given a quick glimpse. This morning he informed me that what I saw was just a portion of their goodies.

Shocked, when I counted the number on the small crew, I asked if they were drinking while racing, but he assured me that “No, we save it for after racing only.” Talk about wolves in sheep’s clothing! Their secret is safe with me – no names – no pack drill.

Racing here too is official clothing partner, Musto’s David ‘Oli’ Oliver, helping Mike Steel’s E5 Elan, Boadica go fast. Musto is familiar to SMIRW, as is Oli. Crew on the winning 2013 Rolex Sydney Hobart yacht, Victoire, among his accolades, Oli is also here showcasing a new attractive women’s leisure wear line and sailing gear for all - and the range is selling well.   

In other news, this morning Principal Race Officer, Denis Thompson was looking at racing for today and also the days ahead. “It looks OK tomorrow, a nice breeze, but there’s a wind warning for Wednesday. I’m planning the Round the Island Race for Wednesday,“ he said.

“It’s predicted to be 25-30 knots and if that’s the case, we won’t race. If it’s 20-25, we will consider it, depending on the seaway of course,” he said.

“We may start an hour earlier (10am instead of 11am), so the smaller boats aren’t caught in the predicted building breeze, but I’ll decide on the morning, once I’ve checked the weather models again. I don’t want to make decisions too far ahead; I just want to have a contingency plan ready and do the right thing for competitors,” Thompson ended.

Racing continues tomorrow.

For all information including results, please visit: www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au

By Di Pearson/SMIRW media

MEDIA RELEASE 31 August, 2024                                                                                                 

People you meet at SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week

Two balmy days of sailing away at SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week 2024 and the fleet at Townsville Yacht Club’s (TYC) much loved annual event is as eclectic as ever, as Olympians and other champions mix it with regulars, internationals, newcomers and club sailors.

Two-time Olympian, Nicky Bethwaite is experiencing her first Race Week, sailing on 51^stProject, the Beneteau First 50 belonging to Julian Bell from Newcastle.

“I’m enjoying it. It’s beautiful sailing and we saw fish jumping today,” the NSW sailor said last evening. It’s very social here – it’s good having a regatta in a smaller area,” she mused, while enjoying post-race drinks with the crew aboard 51^st Project.

“The sea breeze came in nicely. The course was around two and a half times longer than yesterday’s but we finished earlier because of the consistent breeze.”  

Bethwaite and Karyn Gojnich (who has been a regular here) were the first women to represent Australia in sailing when they were selected for the 1988 Games in the 470 Women’s. They represented again in 2004 in the Yngling. Bethwaite, the skipper, was selected in the latter class for a third Olympics, but an untimely biking accident put paid to that.

These days Bethwaite splits her leisure time sailing and playing golf. Her older brother Mark is also an Olympian, while younger brother, Julian, is a successful sailor and boat designer, having designed the Olympic class 49er and its junior version, the 29er, just two in his vast collection of designs.

Julian, from Sydney, is also competing at Magnetic Island with his self-designed 89er sports boat, Don’t Panic. He arrived here having cleaned up at Airlie Beach Race Week two weeks ago. Sailing with him, is dual Olympian, Christine Bridge.

Bridge represented Australian in the Europe single-handed dinghy class at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. These days she is dab ILCA 6 (formerly Laser Radial) sailor who is still winning trophies at Masters events.

And while his famous son Tom Slingsby is in Barcelona skippering the USA boat in the Louis Vuitton Cup ahead of the 37^th America’s Cup, his dad David, or ‘Slingshot’ as old mates call him, is here aboard Mac 2, John and Andrew McDougall’s Melges 32 from Gosford. Like Bethwaite, this entire crew is competitive, proving their point with victory in the first two races. 

Until Tom came to prominence as a Laser Olympic gold medallist and multiple world champion in the class, the Central Coast sailor was the better known of the two, having ocean raced aboard the likes of Syd Fischer’s Ragamuffin. 

Wendy Tuck, who sailed into the record books as the first woman to win a round the world race, is competing at Maggie Island Race Week, skippering the Lyons 54, Making Waves Kayle. 

When she touched down in Liverpool, England in July 2018, having skippered the Clipper yacht ‘Sanya Serenity Coast’ to overall victory in the tough Clipper Round the World Race, the NSW yachtswoman became the first female to do so. 

While continuing to compete in events around the globe, Tuck also works hard to raise the profile of the Making Waves Foundation (supports young Australians living with disabilities or experiencing disadvantage) by sailing at major events on the Australian calendar. Aboard with Tuck are two other well-known NSW sailors and MWF supporters, Kathy Veel and Bridget Canham.

Mature aged women, Veel and Canham remain the only all-female crew to take part in the Two-Handed division of the Rolex Sydney Hobart. They did this on Veel’s tiny Currawong 30, Currawong, in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, they finished the race in Hobart and to a hero’s welcome at midnight, as New Year’s Eve fireworks rained down on them - unforgettable.

Veel also crewed on Belles Long Ranger in the 1989 Hobart, just the second all-female crew to do the race. The three women say those at Townsville Yacht Club have been nothing but supportive and helpful to them.

“This is my first Maggie,” Veel said with a big smile. “I love it. I’ve never danced so much in my life! It (Race Week) has a wonderful sense of community among the sailors. The location is beautiful and the waterway is lovely. The entertainment and social calendar are very good. I also like the inclusive mixed class racing.

“And we’re here for a good cause - with our Making Waves Foundation banner,” Veel said. 

Among those who keep returning are Colin and Denise Wilson. They can’t make it every year, but the South Coast yachties make it as often as they can. This year they have a mix of crew, inclusive of some internationals.

“What makes Maggie Island special for us is everyone stays together after racing each day at the marina and ashore. Everyone has fun and enjoys the festivities and each other’s company,” Colin said.

“Father’s Day celebrations are brilliant. Townsville Yacht Club has something different to keep us entertained every year. We always join in and spend the day at Picnic Bay,” he said of today’s celebrations. 

The event enjoys great support from local Townsville Yacht Club sailors too, such as club racers Akarana (Vicki Hamilton), Brava (Tony and Selena Muller), Salacia (Owen Day), Soul Sister (Donna Heath) and Warragal (James Finch).

Mike Steel, Commodore of TYC and enduring Event Chairman of SMIRW, is also a competitor at Race Week. A division winner last year, this year he is skippering an Elan E5, Boudica, that he recently acquired.

Steel says of the wide assortment of people and boats attracted to this unique event, centred around Peppers Race Headquarters every year, “It proves that people do need to wind down at some stage and Maggie is the perfect place to do it.

 “Magnetic Island was virtually undiscovered until SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week came along and the people who come to our event would probably never even known it existed before. Some of our competitors are investing in the island and bring money to the Island,” he says.

One such story is that of Victorian James Permezel, who with a mate bought a house and a commercial premises in picturesque Picnic Bay and built a microbrewery, ‘Maggie Island Brewery’, which opened last year and featuring a lovely beer garden and tapas. Permezel and his yacht Charm Offensive live on the Island now and he is a member of Townsville Yacht Club.

Steel continued, “We had our first regatta here with 25 boats and Peppers wasn’t built then. It’s come a long way over those 17 years.”

On his latest yacht, Boadica, Steel said, “It’s actually quite funny how it all happened. I went to the Sydney Boat Show and the boats were too expensive and then this boat came up for sale in Brisbane, so we had a look and bought it. We love the boat. You can do a good regatta with it but it’s still very comfortable below.

“My new life starts next week,” shared Steel, who recently retired from work life. “We’ll do some family cruising. We’re training the dog to come along too.”

And this is what makes SMIRW special – people from all walks of life with various sailing skill sets, here to race and enjoy the bucket loads of fun the event provides. I’m off to the mud crab races shortly! There is no other regatta like it, no island as quaint. It speaks volumes that Race Week was sold out in 15 minutes in 2022 and all it took was 12 minutes this year.

For all information including full results please visit: www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au

By Di Pearson/SMIRW media

MEDIA RELEASE 30 August, 2024                                                                                       

SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week: Nice light day to start proceedings

The opening day of SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week 2024 was not to everyone’s liking, as it was a little light on for breeze, but you couldn’t otherwise fault the beautiful warm and sunny day and flat water that was served up to the competitors taking part across the four classes split into seven divisions.  

SeaLink Spinnaker Division 1 went to Leo Rodriguez’ Smooth Criminal (Qld), his RP36 pulling up nearly 10 minutes in front of Colin and Denise Wilson’s MKL 49, Never A Dull Moment (NSW).

Regular attendee, Ian Edwards has sailed his Dehler 46, Wings (NSW), into an early lead in Division 2, almost six minutes ahead of David Newton’s second placed Yknot.

“We all had to wait around for the wind, but it didn’t really come,” Edwards said of the delayed start, with officials originally intending to start at 11am.

“Denis (Thompson, the Principal Race Officer) did his best and eventually found there was more wind inshore. It was light in the 5-7 knot range when we had our spinnaker up, so we were sailing angles to try and get our way down to the mark,” Edwards explained.

“The wind built a little coming back – only to around 8 knots though. That was fine, because like others, we have some crew who sailed with us at Hamo and some new ones here, so we haven’t sailed together as a team before. I’d rather the first day be like this than say 20-30 knots” he said.

“Our team did well - tacked well, gybed well - it was good day out and I’m really impressed with Denis getting us a race in.”

Division 3 went to the Melges 32, Mac 2, sailed by brothers Andrew and John McDougall (NSW). They beat last year’s overall division winner, Private Equity, owned by Tim Campbel (Vic).

“It was really light,” Andrew McDougall agreed. “We had a good start on the pin end and that enabled us to get in front of the fleet on that side of the course. We were able to put our asymmetrical spinnaker up at the first mark and kept moving forward from there.

“The Melges always goes well in light conditions. We mainly sail Etchells at Gosford Sailing Club and campaign the Melges at regattas,” said McDougall, explaining they were keeping an eye on Joust, a J111 owned by Simon Cruickshank from the Northern Territory, which seemed to be in contention today but ended up fifth.

“This is our first time here. We were lucky we got in. It’s a great regatta. Very social. We’re finding it relaxed and professionally run on the water by Denis (Thompson). We’re impressed by the location and accommodation as well,” McDougall ended.

Daniel McSweeney’s Brigus (Qld), a Beneteau First 35, stitched up Division 4, with Jack Maguire’s Zen and the Art of Sailing, from the host club, taking second place.

Kim Younger’s Poppy prevailed in the Non Spinnaker division, taking exactly 11 minutes out of nearest rival in Dan White and Nikki Abbott’s Riff Raff. Both are from Queensland. One expects the handicapper will be making some adjustments…

Dennis Coleman is no stranger to the winner’s circle at this event with his Corsair Sprint MK1, Mistress (Qld). Today he topped the points table in the Multihull class from Will Ford’s Second Wind (NSW), which finished just 14 seconds adrift of Mistress.

In the Sports Boats, Justin Van Stom’s local boat Bambalam got the better of Julian Bethwaite’s Don’t Panic (NSW) by 13 minutes, so there could be a tweak or two to a handicap there too.

Townsville Yacht Club’s (TYC) annual event is now in its 17^th year and becomes more popular with as each edition comes around.

Racing continues tomorrow from 11am. 

For all information including full results please visit: www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au

By Di Pearson/SMIRW media

Further information: Di Pearson, SMIRW media manager, phone: 0410 792 131

MEDIA RELEASE 24 July, 2024

Delights of SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week don’t begin and end with sailing

SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week 2024 sold out in an unprecedented 12 minutes - minus a few seconds – but it’s more than the sailing that attracts competitors, their families and friends to this quaint island paradise.

Townsville Yacht Club’s (TYC) annual event is loved by all for its well thought out social program. There is something to appeal to all tastes, from kids up to grandparents, water babies and landlubbers. Just ask anyone from those lucky enough to make the cut this year – and the hopefuls on the waiting list.

On the opening night, Thursday 29 August, crews will be welcomed and enjoy dancing the night away to sounds from high energy rock band, Shots Fired – Power 100 at Peppers Race Headquarters.

On Friday morning, before the first race, a free Community Breakfast and Star 106.3 outside broadcast is on offer at Nelly Bay Terminal.

From noon until 3pm that day, those who aren’t sailing can join in the Star 106.3 Leisurely Long Lunch, which raises funds for Liptember and Mater Private Hospital. To be held at Peppers Boardwalk Restaurant, it is normally a sellout, so go to the official site to book your place, or a table, now.

After lunch, DJ Delicious will keep things moving on the deck ahead of the daily prize giving and entertainment for the night.

An enduring crowd pleaser is Townsville Airport Father’s Day on Sunday at Picnic Bay. Race organisers declare a lay day for crews, whose families and friends also get into the spirit of the day. Maggie Islanders are joined by Townsville locals and holidaymakers, who jump aboard SeaLink discounted ferries and take advantage of the free buses for the day. 

The day features markets, free kids’ activities, food stalls, the Amazing Grace Early Learning sand castle competition and the Weigh N Pay Great Inflatable Race with cash prizes to be won. Teams and individuals are encouraged to pre-register online at the official SMIRW site, or on the day from 9am near the Picnic Bay jetty. Don’t miss out – it’s too much fun!

There’s more! At Picnic Bay Surf Lifesaving Club there is an all-day fundraising BBQ, with licensed bar, mud crab races (raising funds for the MI Koala Hospital) and from noon until 5pm, the throngs hits the dance floor for Godfathers of Funk. So catchy is their music, yachtsman Graeme Boyd, broken foot in boot, crutches and all, could not stay off the dance floor last year! 

For those with the stamina to kick on, singer/song writer Tess Latu will entertain on the Peppers Race Headquarters deck from 6pm. Those having dinner at Peppers can also take advantage of the entertainment too.

Others lined up to entertain after racing each night include: GenXis with music from the ‘70s and ‘80s, Karaoke DJ rock ‘n roll with 45RPM, a crew party at Maggie Island Brewery, the Ensign Yachts Sponsors and Skippers Evening at TYC.

Topping off a wonderful week, there is the official prize presentation, accompanied by a gourmet barbecue dinner. Cranky Pants will entertain – so bring your dancing shoes or moon boot!

Why wouldn’t you want to be there? 

Since he first discovered SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week, NSW yachtsman, Colin Wilson, can’t get enough and is coming up for his ninth: “It’s fantastic,” he enthuses. We missed out last year. We were too late in getting our finger on the button,” Never A Dull Moment’s owner says of last year’s attempt to enter the event that sold out in 16 minutes.

“We weren’t going to miss out this time, so we practiced entering,” Wilson said. And just as well, as such is its popularity, Race Week was booked out even more quickly this time.

“What makes Maggie Island special for us (he and wife Denise) is everyone stays together after racing each day at the marina and ashore. Everyone has fun and enjoys the festivities and each other’s company.

“The afternoon prize givings after racing (at Peppers on the deck) with Scotty Hillier (of Creek to Coast fame) with the big screen showing highlights and the bands after are just the best.

“Father’s Day celebrations are brilliant. Townsville Yacht Club has something different to keep us entertained every year. We always join in and spend the day at Picnic Bay. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for us this year.” 

Wilson adds, “Our crew are really going to enjoy themselves. We have a German friend flying in from Germany to sail with us. It will be a first for him and he’s very excited about it. He’s heard all about Race Week from us and has been looking forward to it for 12 months.”

For all information including list of entries please visit: www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au 

By Di Pearson/SMIRW media

MEDIA RELEASE 4 March, 2024

SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week: Entries sold out in 12 minutes!

Entries opened for Townsville Yacht Club’s (TYC) SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week on Friday amid a flurry of activity, the much loved event was sold out in an unprecedented 12 minutes – minus a few seconds.

“It was incredible,” a stunned Event Chairman, Mike Steel said of the 17^th running of the regatta, to be held from 29 August to 4 September in 2024.

“Last year it took 15 minutes, the year before it was just under four hours.

“We feel so fortunate that competitors have taken our annual event to heart over the last few years. It’s nice to see regulars mixed with those who return when they can, along with fresh faces every year. They make our event,” Steel said.

You had to be quick off the mark and Tim Campbell from Victoria was fastest. His Corby 25, Private Equity, was the first entry received.

“I was sitting at my computer waiting to go into Top Yacht,” Campbell said. You had wait for the link to come up. When it did, I clicked straight away. Hopefully that’s an omen,” he said, hopeful of repeating his winning experience of last year.

“We love it there,” continued Campbell. “I’ll drive up from Melbourne trailing the boat (a Corby 25) again. I’ll have the same crew from last year.”   

Among the familiar faces will be locals Vicki Hamilton with her Farr 1104, Akarana and Leon Thomas with his Shaw 650 Guilty Pleasures X, along with James Permezel’s Hanse 445, Charm Offensive. Permezel hails from Victoria but has a business and residence on Magnetic Island these days, so spends most his time there.

Returning after a seven-year break are Colin and Denise Wilson with Never a Dull Moment from Sydney. The pair was last here in 2017, but as Colin says, “It’s the happiest regatta in Australia, with the friendliest people.”

Malcolm Roe, on the other hand, is yet to experience the regatta. Roe, owner of the Swan 45, Amazingrace, said, “I was so happy to get in. I was sitting at my computer for the previous hour waiting... I’m delighted. This is my first time to the regatta. I’ve heard it’s very good. I can’t wait,” he ended.

This year entries represent Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

Major stakeholders  of the event, SeaLink, Townsville City Council, Peppers Blue on Blue Resort, Tourism and Events Queensland and Magnetic Island Marina are overjoyed at the interest the event continues to attract.

Competitors are drawn to the distinctive regatta for so many reasons. Rolling off the SeaLink ferry at Maggie Island, it is a one-minute stroll to Peppers Blue on Blue where all the action emanates from.

For Race Week, Peppers becomes Peppers Race Headquarters. Most competitors and officials stay and have their meals there. The marina is part of the package and the racecourse is a five minute motor away where Principal Race Officer, Denis Thompson and his volunteers, are ready to start races in this beautiful part of the world.

The daily post-race prizegiving is also held at Peppers Race Headquarters where the music flows after a video recap of the day’s action. Hosted by Scotty Hillier, it is a lot of fun. TYC also organises lots of other fun activities, especially on lay day, which coincides with Father’s Day.

As a bonus, IGA is a stone’s throw from the resort, as is the local bottle shop, with many restaurants within walking distance. If you fancy a short bus ride, there are other great restaurants dotted around the pretty and unspoilt island.

Why wouldn’t you want to be there?

For all information including list of entries please visit: www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au

By Di Pearson/SMIRW media