Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

40th Hamilton Island Race Week - Day 4

by Lisa Ratcliff 21 Aug 08:38 UTC 16-23 August 2025

At the business end of the 40th Hamilton Island Race Week, presented by AMEX, is the consolidation of first-half regatta points by the trophy hunters.

Rating divisions 1 and 2 ticked off two windward-leeward races in 13-18 knots from the east south-east on the Eastern Passage course today, Thursday August 21, 2025.

The Oatley family's RP66 Wild Oats X, skippered by Mark Richards, scored two seconds in the short course format to sit in fifth overall in Rating 1 division. Marcus Blackmore's TP52 Hooligan remains the pointscore leader and even with a fifth place today, extended their points gap back to Peter White's TP52 First Light in second.

A first and second cemented David Hamilton and his Farr 40 Seeking Alpha's stranglehold on Rating 2.

Kate Leeson and Garth Riley's Adams 10 Wazza Red Boat moved into second on the Rating 2 points ladder, thanks to a third and a win in the shorter course format.

The Airlie Beach based Wazza Red Boat has very strong female representation - six of the eight crew. Owner and mainsheet trimmer Kate Leeson says they pick crew who match the boat's culture.

We treat everyone on board with respect and you only yell when you need to be heard. We pick people who fit together and will do the best they can. We are here to do well - we like getting on the podium too," she added.

The rest of the 155 plus Race Week fleet finished island passages, winding amongst islands as course rounding marks. That was after a ripping Dent Passage tide caught a few starters out, hearts sinking as their sail numbers were read out for recall.

Race winners included Tim Meyrick's Hanse 370e Fidra (orange division), Craig Douglas' Beneteau First 47.7 Popeye (pink), Michael Schwarzel's VO60 Merit (light blue) and Glenn Myler's Tasmanian Beneteau Oceanis 43 Thylacine One (non-spinnaker).

Meanwhile, ahead of the racing, Ken and Barbie, Darth and his storm troopers and the Romans resplendent in togas were just some of the costumes and characters at the Prix d'Elegance, a longstanding Race Week event staged ahead of the serious business of racing. This year's parade was considered the best ever.

The South Australian team of Carbontest.au, dressed in Barbie dresses and Ken tracksuits, fed the theme through AI for costume and prop suggestions - and it was a full crew and family effort to prepare for Prix d'Elegance.

"Everybody has embraced it," said owner-skipper Neil Young (a Ken). "We did have a late wardrobe change as the XL dresses in fact only fitted the smaller guys."

When parading past the judges, Aqua's smash hit 'Barbie Girl' roused the spectators watching from the yacht club Bommie Deck.

Young had such an amazing Race Week last year that he opted to truck his sporty Luka 30 design all the way from the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron once again.

Mermaids and Mermen was the dress-up theme for Gary Donnellan's Matilda V. American sailor Hayley Wakefield is one of six women on the Cairns-based Beneteau, which is racing in Hamilton Island Orange division. Most of the women are learning to sail through Cairns Yacht Club's national SheSails program.

Wakefield is a first timer at the annual regatta in paradise. "Race Week is a blast! I've never done a regatta with this many boats," she said. "It's so fun to meet this many Australian sailors, and we couldn't be in a more beautiful place."

Prix d'Elegance winners of the best presented yacht and crew and best themed boat will be announced at the Saturday evening gala dinner and trophy presentation, Race Week's finale.

Full results: www.topyacht.net.au/results/2025/hirw/index.htm

Day 4 racing video highlights available here.

All Race Week details, videos and images are available on the website and social channels.

More history on Hamilton Island Race Week here.

Related Articles

Marine Auctions: October Online Auctions
Ex-Commercial Fishing Vessel for private sale, make an offer Some Vessels Unreserved. Ex-Commercial Fishing Vessel for private sale, make an offer. Posted on 22 Oct
FishCast® powered by ROFFS® introduced
Revolutionary fishing forecasts now available on select Simrad® displays Simrad® Marine Electronics, a leader in marine electronics and navigation, today announced the launch of FishCast® powered by ROFFS®, now available as an intuitive overlay on select Simrad® displays. Posted on 22 Oct
Anchorpoint Phone Holder ensures device safety
Able to handle almost any device with an adjustable threaded dial RAILBLAZA, manufacturer of premium quality, user-friendly electronics, fishing and boating mounting systems and accessories, announced the launch of its AnchorPoint Phone Holder, an adventure-ready mobile device holder built for the harshest environments. Posted on 21 Oct
Don't miss our upcoming must-watch free Webinar
Tracking and Fleet Monitoring discussion on 22nd October 2025 Yacht tracking and fleet monitoring are essential, yet traditional tracking methods face significant challenges. On October 22nd we are hosting an exclusive and free webinar, with an in-depth exploration of the latest in tracking technology. Posted on 20 Oct
ASA's 2025 Sportfishing Summit
Important issues facing recreational anglers discussed On Friday, ASA's Annual Sportfishing Summit ended following an incredible week of industry conversations and committee meetings. Posted on 15 Oct
Breeze vs Cool Breeze
What is the difference between these two Henri-Lloyd jackets? Engineered with the same 2-later PFC-Free DRI SHELL technology, the Breeze and Cool Breeze delivery marine grade tech. The difference lies in the climate. Posted on 13 Oct
Marine Auctions: October Online Auctions
The bidding will open on Friday 24th October The bidding in the October Online Auction is set to open on Friday 24th October and will close Thursday 30th October 2025. Posted on 9 Oct
Introducing Henri-Lloyd's Bergen Range
High performance technical mid-layers, manufactured from Ghost Nets and Recycled Plastic Bottles Henri-Lloyd's new Autumn/Winter 2025 collection features the Bergen Hooded Jacket and Bergen Gilet, the first in their range to be manufactured using performance fabrics alongside fibres and insulation derived from ghost nets and recycled plastic bottles. Posted on 8 Oct
Florida state management of Red Snapper
Taking the initial steps to implement state management of recreational fishery The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the recreational fishing community have been frustrated with federal management of red snapper in the South Atlantic for a long time. Posted on 7 Oct
ASA Summit heads to Key West next week
2025 Sportfishing Summit powered by the American Sportfishing Association Leaders from across the sportfishing industry will head to Key West next week for the 2025 Sportfishing Summit powered by the American Sportfishing Association. Posted on 30 Sep
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo M75