Record Breaking Numbers at Hamilton Jubilee
Conditions may not have been as typically warm as previous years, but that didn't stop the on water competition from reaching boiling points during the Silver Jubilee Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. 
'2008 Hamilton Island Race Week.'
Jack Atley© Click Here to view large photo
As a firm ridge extended from the cold latitudes of the Tasman Sea, it bent a strong South East air flow into the tropical sailing paradise of the Whitsunday Islands in the early stages of the regatta. The crews responded by donning winter jackets and battling it out in what turned out to be a fiercely competitive regatta.
With a record number of entries this year - 225, racing was nothing short of exciting. A big boat combat ensued between Wild Oats X and Black Jack but they were not alone. Tight finishes were the result of several divisions, including IRC in which eight Sydney Yachts participated.
Luke McGrath's Sydney 36CR Brookwater Golf sailed to a win in the IRC Passage Division, finishing the series on 11 points just a pinch ahead of Peter Sorensen's The Philosopher's Club on 12 points.
Three sailors were injured in some of the best racing ever was experienced at the regatta. Luckily they escaped serious injury, but were taken to a mainland hospital for further observation.
As Australia's best recognised keelboat regatta, Audi Hamilton Island Race Week had plenty on offer both on and off the water. A spectacular on-shore social agenda included fashion shows, beach parties, the Oatley wine bar and a celebrity-chef-hosted dinner.
by Martine Ballantyne
Avalon, NSW
