Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week NOR online - Enter now

8:07 PM Thu 11 Jun 2009 GMT

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Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race 2009 week is now only two months away and time to dig into the back of the wardrobe for your loudest floral shirt and best sunscreen. '

Denis Thompson - Click Here to view large photo

As Event Director Denis Thompson explains as southerners shiver the excitement of race week is starting to build. The Notice-of-Race has been published and entries are already starting to come in.

Check the event website www.airliebeachraceweek.com.auand get your entry in quickly.

The unique flavour of MMABRW will not be changed in 2009 but we are constant looking at ways to improve the event for the competitors both on the water and ashore.

Meridien Marinas Abel Point has had a lot action over summer with further improvements to landscaping around the waterfront and surrounds. This will add to the ambience of the competitor's marquee where a lot of the social action takes place.

Along with the friendly after-race fun at the marina there will also be some great social events in the main township with the local businesses putting out the welcome mat for all competitors and supporters. The full social calendar will be published on the event website soon.

Living Doll, Pussy Galore and Wired. Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week Day 5 racing - Peter Campbell &copy Click Here to view large photo

A problem in the last couple of years is the gradual build up of silt in the pen areas which has meant a bit of a hassle for the bigger boats getting in and out of the marina. It was a matter of picking the best state of the tide for boat movements. This should be all in the past with a lot dredging happening in the marina area particularly on the arms that are used for race week berthage. This will allow more of the deeper draft boats to enjoy the pleasures of race week.

The race committee are always looking at ways to improve the courses used for race week. This is done with the tides over the week of racing in August. A couple years ago we made a conscious effort to send the fleets north west around the islands that make up the northern part of the Whitsundays. This has proved to be hugely popular with great courses with interesting scenery and much less tidal influence than the islands further south.

Cruising with Spinnaker fleet rounds the mark. Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week 2008 - Peter Campbell &copy Click Here to view large photo

We are looking at expanding this option again this year so keep your eyes peeled for those courses. We will be checking the tidal flows around the southern islands which make up the traditional courses for race week and will endeavour to minimise the effects of the current (unless it is with you of course !) when designing the courses.

The Sports Boats are a big part of race week and entries already indicate another big contingent will turn up in 2009. Pioneer Bay is ideal for the Sporties with consistent trade winds, flat water and warm temperatures. With a combination of windward leeward courses, big triangle courses with great reaching legs and some around the island courses as well this fleet will have brilliant racing again this year.

Vivace. Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week Day 4 racing - Ian Grant Click Here to view large photo

The Australian Sports Boat Association (ASBA) has enthusiastically endorsed this regatta as one of the main events on
the Sports Boat calendar in Australia.

We are all looking forward to seeing you on the water at Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week 2009.

Enter now at www.airliebeachraceweek.com.au

by Denis Thompson

Click on thumbnails to enlarge and find more photos:

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