Airlie Beach warms up for Race Week

'After hard competition on the water, the social program offers onshore entertainment.' .

After a tough year for the Whitsundays, there is finally some hope for the region's businesses and tourist operators following the announcement of the 2008 Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week will have the biggest social program in the event's history.

A multi-million dollar boost for the community is expected when sailors and partygoers from all over Australia descend on Airlie Beach for what promises to be an entertainment extravaganza.

Meridien Managing Director and one of the race organisers, Russell McCart, said this year's Race Week from August 14 - 21 will be a chance for the whole region to be involved.

'We have been planning well ahead to ensure fun and excitement on and off the water, so it doesn't matter if you are competing or not, you still can get involved,' McCart said.

'The on-shore socials are one of the most important aspects of the week. There's a hectic round of parties from the moment we kick off with the welcome function on Thursday the 14th.'

One of the highlights of the week-long party will be the $30,000 Fantasea Cracker Night fireworks display on Friday, August 15.

'Cracker Night has been going for more than 10 years but this is the first time it will be held in conjunction with Airlie Beach Race Week.'

Set up along the Airlie Beach foreshore from 6pm until late, Fantasea Cracker night includes food stalls, glow in the dark novelties, jumping castle and Spin the Wheel with fantastic prizes to be won during the evening.

Fantasea's Event co-ordinator, Paula Boucher said the event promised to be a fun night while also raising much needed money for charity.

'More than 50 Fantasea staff have volunteered to run the stalls and help with the activities,' she said. 'We hope as many people as possible will come down on the night and help us raise money for charity and join us in supporting our local community.'

Fantasea will also offer discounts for trips to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven beach during Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week.

McCart said the deals were another reason for tourists to visit Airlie this August. 'Tickets to the Reef are being cut by almost $50 so I expect tourists to come to Airlie to watch the yacht racing, enjoy the party in town and then take a cruise to the magnificent Whitsundays.'

Another big event destined to have the town humming is the Parrot Head Party being put on by the Airlie Beach Hotel on Sunday August 17.

General Manager, Mark Bell said the Jimmy Buffett-inspired party is the perfect fit for Race Week.

'It will have a calypso, reggae theme this year and we will even have a guy from Trinidad and Tobago doing three sets and of course a Jimmy Buffet tribute band,' he said.

Food stalls showcasing the best of Airlie's restaurants will line the Esplanade which will be closed off for the party starting at 5pm.

It's a great festival! - ..

'The cover charge to enter the party is only three dollars and we are expecting more than 1500 people decked out in Hawaiian shirts, flip-flops and board shorts, or a grass skirt and a coconut bra,' he said.

McCart said the main activity of the week is the racing on the water but it is important everyone has a good time on-shore as well. 'The Wolverines are fired up for Airlie Beach after a stint entertaining the troops in Iraq and
Afghanistan. They'll have the marquee jumping after a hard day on the water,' he said.

Entries in each of the different racing categories have been filling steadily in the past months with the cruising with spinnaker division by far the most popular. Among the boats competing for honours in IRC racing are Blue Water with Graham Jones, Russell McCart's Night Nurse and Pussy Galore skippered by Anatole Masfen.

'The race organisers have been poring over the charts and tide tables designing courses and including some subtle differences from previous years to ensure the best racing around the scenic parts of the Whitsunday Passage,' McCart said.

Over 120 entrants are expected to compete in this year's Meridien Marinas
Airlie Beach Race Week and with an average of 10 people per boat the event is a significant economic boost to the area.

'The regatta brings a lot of money into Airlie Beach. Many of the boats arrive at Meridien Marinas Abel Point days ahead of the start and the spending goes on for up to 15 days.'

Race organisers estimate one boat with a crew of 10 and five accompanying family members will inject up to $30,000 into Airlie Beach over a 10-day-period. This includes maintenance on the boat for the duration of the race, all meals, accommodation and entertainment.

Visitors and locals alike get into the spirit. - ..

The total boost to the Queensland economy from all sailing regattas each year is estimated to be more than $45 million.

Meridien Marinas Abel Point has been spruced up to once again be home to the boats competing in the regatta. Some dredging has been underway to ensure plenty of clearance for the deeper draft boats.

Social Event Schedule and more information at www.airliebeachraceweek.com

by Meridien Marinas