Enter Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week now!!

11:02 PM Fri 14 Aug 2009 GMT

'Ngak Ngak. Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week Day 3' Sail-World.com /AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

If you are racing/cruising at Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week or Audi Race Week at Hamilton Island, then you still have time to add the 2009 Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week to your winter expedition.

Now in its third year Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week invites suitably found racing and cruising yachts to compete for a prize pool containing $10,000.00 in cash prizes, trophies and much more.

Peppers Blue on Blue marina - Day 3. Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week Day 3 - Sail-World.com -AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

Sailed off the pristine waters of Cleveland Bay and Magnetic Island, Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week presents a series of buoy course, passage and around the island races.

The regatta now offers six classes of racing over five days from Friday 4th to Tuesday 8th September 2009. With a shore-side program with something to appeal to everyone, this is one event you don't want to miss!

This year veteran Queensland sailor Bob 'Robbo' Robertson is sailing his Farr 40 Cracklin' Rosie at Airlie Beach and she will be on the water at Hamilton Island as well. But he is taking his Bavaria 50 cruiser 'On Location' north to Magnetic Island, leaving the Farr 40 in Mackay until the trade winds ease, before the trip south.

'Robbo' makes some good points about sailing south at the end of August and why delaying for a few weeks make sense.

He says the extra few weeks in Far North Queensland, as well as being great in the winter, provides another bonus for southern sailors.

'People head south after Hammilton, but what every sailor will tell you is that usually you have to battle against the prevailing trade wind south easterlies.'

'Going up to Magnetic Island, we know we are going to dodge all that.

'We are going to be able to put up a spinnaker and cruise north with the last of the south east trades. By the time we finish the regatta and have cruised around a bit more, the northerlies should have kicked in and we'll have a good ride south.'

Regatta Director Denis Thompson is looking forward to the 2009 series. 'This venue has proven to have enormous potential; the local sailing community has worked hard to make it a success. The last two year's regattas have proved a huge success, with great weather, great sailing and great social events.

'The facilities are excellent, marina water depths are better than we expected with quite deep drafted yachts able to use the outer harbour and the water provide great sailing.'

Event organisers will be happy to provide more information on local conditions, logistics, accommodation and water depths.

With the success of last two years behind them, organisers have vowed to create an even more exciting regatta including more activities available to build the atmosphere of the regatta.

The crew of Black Rose - Pirate Kings.Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week - Sail-World.com -AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

Magnetic Island accommodation is plentiful and caters to any budget. You will find the hospitality on Magnetic Island second to none. On the event website check out the 'Accommodation' tab for special Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week Deals updated regularly or phone Sunsea Travel for the latest deals on the Island 07 4726 0888.

For more information go to www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au