The forecast opened the door for organisers to hold the Double Cones race, with a mass start off two lines on Pioneer Bay - welcome to the opener of Jeanneau Yachts presented by Mooloolaba Yacht Brokers and 74 Islands Airlie Beach Race Week (ABRW) 2026 – it was a spectacular sight and a spectacular day on the water for everyone.
Ray Roberts’ Team Hollywood (NSW), a Botin 40 and the Rating Passage Division 1 defendant, came out firing to win IRC Division 1 from Grant Pocklington’s Bakewell-White 40, Anarchy (NSW) by nearly 15 minutes. Kiwi, Brian Petersen, skippered his TP52, V5 into third place.
Division 2 went the way of Paul Heyes’ Thompson 920, Road Runner (NSW), which skated home little more than a minute in front of the locals - Kate Leeson/Garth Riley’s slippery Adams 10, Wazza Red Boat. Bruce McCraken’s Beneteau First 45, Ikon, was third. The Victorian, who has a few trophies in the cabinet, is sure to keep the rest honest this week.
“It was just another fun day at Airlie Beach,” Heyes commented. “It’s like we’re locals now because we’ve raced here so many times. Using our experience from years gone by, we put the boat in the right spots - from previous mistakes,” he said laughing. “We’ve learned what to do – it’s one of the benefits of getting old!”
The Lake Macquarie sailor continued, “It was enjoyable race, we had between 12 and 18 knots. Nice to start the week this way. We’re pacing ourselves with Dirty Deeds DC (Daniel Taylor). We had a good race against them today.”
Joel Berg’s Extreme 40, Hooligan (Qld) sailed fastest in Multihull Division 0, pipping the ever-present Ullman Sails, Paul Mitchell’s local Extreme 40, by a mere 23 seconds. Mike Peberdys’ Irens Trimaran, Rare Groove (Qld) filled out the podium.
Division 1’s top place went to Stuart Cox’s Stealth 12.7, Cut Snake (Qld), from Troy Forrest’s Grainger Raku 48, Mint. Steven Humphris’ Stealth 13.2c, Stealth Mode (Qld), completed the picture.
Cox maintained, “We were just lucky! It was a nice run down to the Cones, we gybed, went across the bottom and had a nice upwind leg. We saw 15 to 18 knots. It was a really nice day out. We didn’t make any mistakes, didn’t break anything, so all went well.
“We’re Looking forward to a bit of softer stuff after today and last year,” Cox ended.
Division 3’s winner was Peter Hackett’s Corsair F28r, Intrigue (Qld), but less than a minute in arrears was G’Nome, the Grainger 075 owned and skippered by ABRW Chairman and WSC, Terry Archer., who is also President of WSC and a new Life Member of the Club. Third was snapped up by Darren Simmonds’ Trojan, a Corsair 28r from the host club.
There are two divisions in the Trailable & Sports Boat class. First place in Division 1 went to the Bethwaite 89er, Don’t Panic, these days owned by David Davenport/Ken Stevenson (WA). Local entrant, Jesse Frisch, came in second with Kiss, his Sports 8 Xx (designed by Bethwaite & Billoch Design), while a further Bethwaite design, a 79er, Vivace, owned by John Rae/Gary Smith (Qld), claimed third place. The top three results put a smile on Julian Bethwaite’s face – he was aboard Don’t Panic, which he originally owned - today.
Davenport commented, “We love the boat (Don’t Panic) and it’s lovely to have Julian here with us for the day,” he said.
Co-owner Stevenson skippered the boat and said, “Kiss is going to be tough competition for us. We beat him by three minutes in the end. I repeat, he will be tough to beat.
“We loved the course – Double Cones – great racing for us from Western Australia. The water was flat till about 3 miles in and it got windier and windier and we surfed down a few waves. Great fun,” Stevenson finished.
This morning, Principal Race Officer, Kevin Wilson, said, “The forecast is pretty perfect for a round the Cones race (he was right), averaging 15-18 knots, with a bit of rain at some stage.”
As it turned out, it was a little overcast up until 12.30pm with a spit of rain, but then the sun came out in full force.
It was a great start to the 38th running of this fun loving tropical regatta which featured the big spectator vessel, Superflyer, replete with a band and a cheer squad for all competitors!
A course of 30 nautical miles for Multihull Division 0, while IRC Rating, PHS Racing and Multihull Racing Divisions 1 and 2 went on a 27nm course. The rest were on shorter courses, but all started off two start lines at 11am on Pioneer Bay, taking in Double Cone Island and a variety of Gumbrell, Olden, Armit and Grimston, depending on your division.
A big thank you to Northside Marine for providing a Highfield 800 with crew for use as a media boat this week. According to official photographer, Andrea Francolini, it was the right boat and the guys did a great job driving. Judge for yourselves from some of today’s photos.
Six years out from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games and with some of the Sailing Competition to be held in the Whitsundays, excitement is starting to build, with a lot of talk amongst the sailing fraternity this morning before racing. It will also be special, as 2032 marks the return of Paralympic Sailing to the Games, after its removal following the 2016 Games.
Weather permitting, racing continues tomorrow starting on Pioneer Bay at 10am.
