Entry for Airlie Beach Race Week 2016 is open and John and Kim Clinton were the first enthusiasts to go online, read the Notice of Race and fill in their entry in the Whitsunday Sailing Club’s major sailing event, to be held from 11-18 August.
Speaking from Sydney today, John Clinton, who with his wife Kim owns the famed Beneteau Oceanis 50, Holy Cow! said, “We’re very keen on Airlie Beach Race Week. As soon as we knew entry was open, we were in there.”
Clinton, whose sailing exploits are slightly overshadowed by his distinctive beard and musical prowess with the country blues band, The Wolverines, went on to say: “First and foremost, Kim and I look forward to the camaraderie at Race Week. “Sailors come from all over the place, and many we see only once a year. We love catching up with them all. We also have the greatest respect for the Whitsunday Sailing Club and what it’s trying to do for all of us – and they are very friendly, so it’s a pleasure to go back.
“The race courses are great. You never know what you are going to get weather-wise or course-wise; it helps improve your trimming and sailing in general. And the race management is fantastic. The crew looks forward to it every year, so as usual, we have a waiting list.
“And where else can you see so many whales and dolphins showing off so close up? Then there’s all the islands in the Whitsundays, many are uninhabited. You get to see all of this while racing and in between. There’s nothing like it,” Clinton ended.
Green is the theme aboard ‘the cow boat’. Everything from their crew clobber down to the tea towels and the soft-toy cows that abound, it is all fun. Even Shona, their dog, owned her own green gear, including a lifejacket.
Unlike the usual stripped out racing machine, Holy Cow typically carries 750 litres each of fuel and water, not to mention signs of everyday living, including the luxury of two coffee machines.
Clinton shares: “We’re a three bedroom unit on water. We enjoy the cruising part as much as the racing; it gives us an escape.”
With the distinctive cow patch headsail and much merriment on board, Holy Cow! and her crew are very popular at major sailing events on the eastern seaboard.
Clinton pointed out that Airlie Beach had much to offer, apart from the week of sailing, entertainment and activities planned by the Club.
“There are so many places to enjoy breakfast, or go for a nightcap. Airlie Beach is very family-friendly with a lot of very good accommodation options and activities. There’s lots for those left ashore to do and the locals are friendly and very interested in Race Week and which boat you sail on.”
Adrian Bram, spokesperson for the 27th edition of Airlie Beach Race Week, said, “Plans for the ‘Festival of Sailing’ program are coming together nicely – both on and off the water. We will be making announcements in the coming weeks, but we will start with a welcome function, including live entertainment the night preceding Day 1.”
Bram went on to say: “We have moved the dates back by one day to accommodate entrants who plan to go on to race at Hamilton Island, which gives competitors some breathing space.”
A variety of sponsorship packages are on offer, including that of a Naming Rights Partner. For further information on these opportunities, or to discuss options, please contact Marketing Manager, Adrian Bram via email: adrian@whitsunday.net.au or phone him: 0418 385 181.
Entry and Notice of Race now online at: www.abrw.com.au/sailing/entries
By Di Pearson, ABRW media
