Whitsundays
Airlie Beach Race Week
There are worse offices than the Whitsundays in July. Turquoise water, trade winds, 74 islands — and a fleet of keelboats rounding marks you’d normally only see on a postcard.
I sailed on Y Knot, a Hanse 430 skippered by Rob Rainsford, working the bow for the week. The courses are long island legs, which sounds relaxed until you’re stacking spinnakers in sequence — Code 0, asymmetric, a couple of symmetrics — and the next mark is coming up faster than you’d like. The Whitsundays don’t give you much room to think. The wind shifts between the islands, the fleet compresses on the reaches, and sail changes pile up quickly. You stay one step ahead or you don’t.
What made the week memorable wasn’t any single race but the rhythm of it — the early starts, the spray off the bow, the debrief over a cold beer as the sun dropped behind the Conway Range. Rob and the Y Knot crew were great to sail with: relaxed when it mattered, sharp when it didn’t.
If you ever get the chance to race up here, take it.
Performance Cruising Division 1 - Airlie Beach Race Week Result 2025
| Place | Sail No | Boat Name | Skipper | From | Sers Score | Race 6 | Race 5 | Race 4 | Race 3 | Race 2 | Race 1 |
| 1 | GBR2888L | ANTIPODES | Geoff Hill | RPAYC | 10.0 | 6.0 | [7.0] | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| 2 | 5013 | LA TROISIEME MITEMPS | Matt Doyle | RPAYC | 14.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | [6.0] |
| 3 | NZL10750 | AWEN | David Hows | SYC | 15.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | [6.0] | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| 4 | S10 | SAMURAI | Stuart Tivey | TYC | 16.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | [5.0] | 3.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| 5 | 6037 | EUREKA 11 | Mal Robertson | APYC | 19.0 | [7.0] | 5.0 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 6.0 | 2.0 |
| 6 | 1027 | VELOCE | Paul Whittley | NONE | 21.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | [5.0] |
| 7 | S349 | GREEN BEACON WHITE SWAN | Brian Pozzey | RQYS | 31.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 8.0C | [8.0C] | 7.0 | 7.0 |
Performance Cruising Division 2 - Airlie Beach Race Week Result 2025
| Place | Sail No | Boat Name | Skipper | From | Sers Score | Race 6 | Race 5 | Race 4 | Race 3 | Race 2 | Race 1 |
| 1 | 83 | CHARM OFFENSIVE | James Permezel | TYC | 19.0 | 7.0 | [11.0] | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 6.0 |
| 2 | F450 | RAMBLE ON | Alan Stein | FSC | 23.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 5.0 | [11.0] |
| 3 | K1 | MAGELLAN | Richard Grant | BYC | 24.0 | 4.0 | 2.0 | [11.0] | 1.0 | 7.0 | 10.0 |
| 4 | RP36 | TREASURE VIII | Robert Davis | WSC | 24.0 | [9.0] | 8.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| 5 | 6669 | BANTER | Mike Robertson | RPAYC | 27.0 | [10.0] | 9.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 |
| 6 | RQ19 | JOINT VENTURE | Stephen Green | RQYS | 28.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | [12.0] | 8.0 | 10.0 | 7.0 |
| 7 | R60 | GCCM ARCTIC BLONDE | Peter Cook | SYC | 28.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | [11.0] | 8.0 | 2.0 |
| 8 | MH442 | LUCY | Ben Austin | RPYC | 29.0 | [11.0] | 6.0 | 10.0 | 9.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 |
| 9 | SB430 | Y KNOT | Robert Rainsford | SBSC | 30.0 | 6.0 | [12.0] | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| 10 | 6073 | AVALON | Geoff Ford | BSC | 31.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | [10.0] | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| 11 | B247 | AMAYA II | Matthew Kingsberry | QCYC | 31.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 12.0 | [13.0C] |
| 12 | B460 | GUSTO | Brian Pattinson | RBYC | 42.0 | 12.0 | 10.0 | 1.0 | [12.0] | 11.0 | 8.0 |
Rating Passage - Airlie Beach Race Week Result 2025
| Place | Sail No | Boat Name | Skipper | From | Sers Score | Race 7 | Race 6 | Race 5 | Race 4 | Race 3 | Race 2 | Race 1 |
| 1 | AUS8888 | TEAM HOLLYWOOD | Raymond Roberts | CYCA | 6.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | [1.0] |
| 2 | 6838 | PONYO | David Currie | HIYC | 15.0 | 2.0 | [5.0] | 3.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 |
| 3 | OC52 | OCEAN CRUSADERS J-BIRD | Annika Thomson | WSC | 19.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | [5.0] | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| 4 | SM40 | VELOCE 4 | Phil Simpfendorfer | SYC | 20.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | [5.0] |
| 5 | NZL55555 | V5 | Brian Petersen | RAYC | 24.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | [5.0] | 3.0 |
Performance Racing - Airlie Beach Race Week Result 2025
| Place | Sail No | Boat Name | Skipper | From | Sers Score | Race 7 | Race 6 | Race 5 | Race 4 | Race 3 | Race 2 | Race 1 |
| 1 | AUS35 | CARBONTEST.AU | Neil Young | RSAYS | 35.0 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 13.0 | [14.0] | 9.0 |
| 2 | AUS7771 | COOL C4TS | Scott Mutton | RSAYS | 35.0 | [14.0] | 10.0 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 11.0 | 2.0 |
| 3 | 35048 | ORGANISED CHAOS | Garry Gudmunson | RMYC | 35.0 | [13.0] | 12.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | B2 | BKT JAMHU | Ken Skovchristensen | RBYC | 36.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | [9.0] | 4.0G | 7.0 | 1.0 |
| 5 | N40 | MAKO | Tim Dodds | NCYC | 37.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 1.0 | [15.0] | 8.0 | 6.0 | 10.0 |
| 6 | 202 | REIGNITION | Charles Wallis | WSC | 37.0 | 3.0 | 11.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | [12.5] | 11.0 |
| 7 | 6333 | GEORGIA EXPRESS | Sebastian Hultin | MHYC | 38.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | [16.0] |
| 8 | 9999 | BLACKJACK 38 | Paul Heyes | WSC | 41.0 | 12.0 | 8.0 | 12.0 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | [14.0] |
| 9 | B330 | HARTBREAKER | Hughie Lewis | BYC | 43.0 | 11.0 | 3.0 | 14.0 | [14.0] | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| 10 | 095 | ANARCHY | Grant Pocklington | RMYC | 44.0 | 10.0 | 1.0 | [15.0] | 13.0 | 12.0 | 2.0 | 6.0 |
| 11 | 7027 | THE GOAT | Jenny Danks | CYCA | 46.0 | 2.0 | 13.0 | 7.0 | 12.0 | 5.0 | [17.0R] | 7.0 |
| 12 | 10447 | BOWLINE | Ian Roberts | RSAYS | 50.0 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | [17.0Q] | 15.0 | 13.0 |
| 13 | 1100 | SMOOTH CRIMINAL | Iyas Shaheen | WSC | 50.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 10.0 | 11.0 | 11.0 | 8.0 | [12.0] |
| 14 | AUS221 | TOW TRUCK | Jason Jordan | RMYCT | 56.0 | 17.0C | [17.0R] | 11.0 | 7.0 | 10.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 |
| 15 | PH36 | JAZZ BAR | Jared Macquart | CSC | 57.0 | 8.0 | [17.0Q] | 13.0 | 10.0 | 1.0 | 10.0 | 15.0 |
| 16 | C108 | BARRACUDA | Tim McCall | CCYC | 83.5 | 17.0C | 17.0C | 17.0C | 17.0C | [17.0R] | 12.5 | 3.0 |
Blogs
Cabbage Tree Island Race
As part of White Spirit’s Hobart preparation, I helmed through extreme conditions in the Cabbage Tree Island Race, sailing into a rapidly building southerly front with apparent winds peaking at 74 knots. The execution and boat handling through the system resulted in my appointment as Second in Command for Hobart.
Magnetic Island Race Week 2025
YKnot’s performance demanded anticipation, precise sail transitions, and constant awareness on the bow. The warm waters, trade winds, and tight fleet kept everyone alert, while the relaxed island atmosphere ashore highlighted why offshore racing is as much about people and experience as it is speed.
Cartouche
Cartouche – Beneteau First 50 (RBYC)
I’ve sailed regularly aboard Cartouche, a Beneteau First 50 owned by Steven Fahey, across club racing, ORCV events and major regattas. Racing within a family-run team sharpened my big-boat awareness and offshore readiness, while reinforcing consistency, preparation and calm decision-making across varied conditions.
Scarlet Runner
Delivering Scarlet Runner back to Melbourne with owner and skipper Rob Date after the Melbourne–Hobart Westcoaster was a masterclass in offshore seamanship. A demanding Bass Strait crossing shifted the focus from racing to judgement, restraint, and boat care, highlighting the balance between performance and protection that defines successful offshore sailing.
Australian Yachting Championships (IRC)
Racing on Tenacity in the 2025 Australian Yachting Championships tested precision and teamwork on Hobart’s Derwent. Handling halyards and sail changes as mast person, I experienced the split-second decision-making, calm control, and clear communication required to keep a high-performance Mills 41 moving efficiently through shifting river breezes.
Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster
Sailing down the coast on Rushour during the Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster was a masterclass in offshore performance. Heavy Bass Strait and Southern Ocean conditions tested endurance, decision-making, and watch management, while the multihull’s record-breaking pace reinforced the importance of disciplined boat handling, smart routing, and protecting both crew and craft over a long, exposed passage.
Belle – IY60
Racing offshore on Belle, a 60-foot IY60, was a high-intensity test of big-boat handling. Loads, sail changes, and manoeuvres demanded precision, anticipation, and clear communication. The ORCV Coastal Sprint format sharpened situational awareness, adaptability, and crew coordination, giving valuable experience in managing a large offshore yacht under pressure while maintaining speed and control.
QuiXotic
QuiXotic is a well-sailed X-41, but what stands out most is the crew. Andrew Middleton and the team create a positive, easygoing environment on board, focused on enjoying the racing and sailing well together. It’s a boat where good company and good sailing go hand in hand.
Rushour
On Rushour, I completed the 430nm Southport to Sydney qualifying passage, involved in all aspects of high-performance multihull sailing. From helming in varied conditions to managing asymmetric spinnaker trim and watch rotations, this experience built the discipline and confidence I carried directly into the Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster.
Fast Forward – Sydney 38
Faster Forward isn’t just a respected Sydney 38; for me, it represents the heart of sailing culture. After the Melbourne to Hobart, I was adopted into this tight-knit team, learning that success is built as much through shared dinners and crew camaraderie as it is through miles on the water.
Alex Team Macadie
Alex is a boat with a massive reputation, especially for its legendary double-handed feats. Racing with Jock MacAdie provided a firsthand look at how this Hart 14 has stayed competitive for decades. It’s a platform built on grit and offshore history, where the focus is always on high standards and coastal discipline.
Wings
The 1,100nm delivery of Wings from Hamilton Island to Sydney was a lesson in persistence. Most of the trip was spent punched into 18 to 25-knot headwinds and heavy seas. It was a great chance to get some serious hours on the helm at night and see how offshore routing actually works in the real world.