The Whitsundays in August. A steady trade wind carries the faint tang of salt through Hamilton Island’s marina. Dock lines creak. Winches click. Somewhere up Dent Passage, a mainsail snaps to full stretch, the cloth cracking like a starter’s pistol.
In a week’s time — 16 August 2025 — that sound will multiply a hundredfold as Hamilton Island Race Week begins its 40th edition. The turquoise waters will become a stage for grand prix racers, family cruisers, and multihulls alike, all tacking through one of sailing’s most photogenic backdrops. And this year, the island is determined to make the milestone one to remember.
The echo of last year’s battles
Talk to any returning skipper, and they’ll still feel the tension of 2024’s final day.
Alive and Wild Oats X were close before the start gun, shadowing each other through the prestart in a tactical match-up that set the tone for the day. Skipper Duncan Hine recalls:
“It’s probably our favourite destination for racing… perfect race management, amazing talent in the fleet. And the hospitality — we just love coming here.”
They crossed the line separated by just 29 seconds, Alive taking the IRC win. Far ahead, Wild Thing 100 used the dogfight to sail clear for line honours.
In Division 2, Matador and Hooligan stalked each other all week, with David Doherty’s Matador doing enough in the final race to secure the title. Division 3’s Ikon sealed its victory early but still finished with another win — “putting it beyond doubt,” as skipper Bruce McCraken smiled.
The Super 40s belonged to Ray Roberts’ Team Hollywood, flawless all week and crowned “Boat of the Regatta.” “It doesn’t get much better,” Roberts said, champagne in hand. “Great boat, great team, and racing in paradise.”
From Kukukerchu’s Cape 31 championship to Zero’s final-day steal in Multihull Black, and Sharon Ferris-Choat’s gritty win in Magic Miles — last year was proof that every division carries its own kind of theatre.
A new chapter for the 40th
Now the stage is set again. With over 160 yachts entered and capacity for 215, the marina will be a thicket of masts and burgees. The courses — most traced around the Whitsunday islands — will again be split across racing and cruising divisions, from IRC Rating and TP52s to trailable yachts and non-spinnaker cruisers.
But the anniversary year isn’t just about tradition — it’s about fresh spectacle.
The ‘Wetisloe Cup’
For the first time, Hamilton Island will host the Palm Beach Motor Yachts Trans-Tasman 49er Series — a high-octane exhibition of Olympic-class skiffs. From 17–19 August, Australia and New Zealand’s best 49er and 49erFX crews will duel in Dent Passage. Races will be short, intense, and run in quick succession — perfect for spectators leaning over the rail at the Yacht Club with a cold drink in hand.
Nick Dowling, Hamilton Island’s CEO, puts it simply:
“It’s a unique chance to watch Olympic-class sailors in action… and we hope it inspires a new generation to get out on the water.”
When the wind turns playful
Even the windfoilers are getting their moment. On opening day, Dent Passage will host the new Wingfoil Exhibition — fastest runs, longest airs, and highest jumps set against a Coral Sea horizon. It’s as much about style as speed, the kind of spectacle that turns heads onshore as easily as it does afloat.
The Dufour 44 joins the action
As an official sponsor, Dufour Yachts (in collaboration with The Yacht Sales Co.) will be at the heart of the action, with the Dufour 44 on full display for visitors to explore. Developed in collaboration with Felci Yachts Design, this model blends exhilarating performance with refined comfort. Her sleek hull and highly responsive helm ensure thrilling, confident handling in all conditions — equally suited to the demands of Race Week or a leisurely island escape.
For those who want more than a dockside look, the Dufour 44 will also be competing. Visitors can register their interest at F-Arm during the week to inspect the yacht — or, subject to availability, join the crew for one or more race days. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or simply passionate about being on the water, this is a rare chance to experience the thrill of this iconic regatta aboard a boat built to perform.
Kiwis and Australians often find themselves racing alongside old friends or familiar rivals, while first-time visitors discover the appeal of winter sailing in the Whitsundays. Each division, from line-honours contenders to non-spinnaker cruisers, is given its moment. In this 40th year, the regatta’s enduring charm lies in its mix of racing, camaraderie, and the unforgettable setting of Hamilton Island.
Nick Dowling captures it best:
“Race Week has always been about more than sailing — it’s a celebration of great food, good company, and the magic of Hamilton Island in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.”
This August, that magic will be dialled up to full. The island will hum with the whir of grinders, the laughter of post-race docktails, and the hiss of surf breaking on Whitehaven Beach. Forty years on, Hamilton Island Race Week still knows how to throw a party on the water.
