AS ENTRIES pass the century mark, Whitsunday Sailing Club (WSC) is pleased to announce that 74 Islands Distillery has signed up as naming rights sponsor for the 2025 Airlie Beach Race Week (ABRW).
This adds to the excitement, following the recent announcement that the Whitsundays and Townsville have been selected as venues for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games Sailing Competition.
Airlie Beach Race Week will be held this year from August 7 to 14, 2025.
“A local artisan gin and vodka distillery on the Whitsunday coast, 74 Islands Distillery is one our club and competitors can relate to, so it’s a win-win situation for all concerned,” ABRW Regatta Chairman Terry Archer, who is a regular competitor at Race Week, said.
On the Olympic Sailing Competition heading their way, Mr Archer said, “We could not be happier. This is an amazing opportunity that will have a major impact on our region.
“It will have massive benefits not only for sailing, but the whole community, and we are looking forward to welcoming sailors from around the world, along with their families and friends.”
Whitsunday Sailing Club, which underwent major modifications recently, is ideally located.
It has run major sailing events for years, including its signature event ABRW, which attracts up to 200 keelboats and off-the-beach boats annually.
Competitors love the location and the fact that restaurants and accommodation are within walking distance or a five-minute car ride away.
From competitors to tourists, it is a ‘dream come true’ destination, with so many attractions within easy reach.
From this year onwards (the 37th edition), the event will have a dual purpose.
The Sailing Club will use it to gauge all aspects of what will be required for the Olympics, with the eyes of the world no doubt tuning into the Whitsundays and all it has to offer.
Justin Van Stom is a Townsville local who will race his 11-metre One Design named Calypso.
Mr Van Stom enjoys ABRW and SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week and is looking at them with different eyes this year.
“How lucky are we to be living and sailing here with both places being Olympic worthy,” Mr Van Stom, who comes from a family of sailors, said.
“They are such great places to sail and both have awesome venues. Can you imagine more brilliant places to train for the Olympics?
“Airlie Beach is such a beautiful venue. And Race Week is a fun, friendly event, has great competition and is a great testing ground, because you are up against the best from Australia.
“The fact that I will be there, when the Sailing Competition at the Games is on, is incredible. I’ll be putting my hat in the ring to help out, in any way I can.”
Mr Van Stom urges all other sailors to join the current 100+ entries set to compete across 10 classes in this sailing paradise.
No matter what type of boat you sail, there is a division for everyone at Airlie Beach Race Week.
Go online now to enter and view the Notice of Race: https://www.abrw.com.au/
By Di Pearson/ABRW media.
