Clipper Round the World Yacht race returns to Airlie Beach and Coral Sea Marina for the fourth time in January. The fleet of 11 70ft racing yachts will race from Freemantle to Newcastle and then onto Airlie Beach in the Australian Coast-to-Coast leg (Leg 4) of this iconic race. The arrival window for the yachts to arrive at Coral Sea Marina opens on 16 January and the fleet will be given a warm Whitsunday welcome from their supporters and race officials.
To celebrate the Airlie Beach stopover, Coral Sea Marina invites the local community to get involved with some of the events that are happening throughout their stay (listed below). For those not able to attend any of the events, pop down the marina and enjoy the hustle and bustle created by the race crews and their supporters as they enjoy a few days of down time before prepping the yachts for the next leg of the race. Race crew come from all corners of the world and for many this will be their first visit to the Whitsundays and Airlie Beach, so let’s support their stopover and make them feel welcome.
There will the popular Open Boat Days also offers the perfect opportunity to find out more about life onboard a 70ft yacht as it races around the world.
FLEET ARRIVALS
Depending on weather conditions the fleet can arrive any time from when the Race Arrival Window opens 15 January. Keep an eye on our social media for updates and be part of the crowd to welcome the fleet into the marina and to the Whitsundays. Depending on arrival time The Garden Bar Bistro is the perfect vantage point to have a delicious meal, soak up the atmosphere and watch the fleet sail in.
LITTLE RIPPER CLIPPER CUP
Hosted by the Whitsunday Sailing Club head down to watch the crews from the Clipper Race battle it out on the club’s RS Quest dinghies. Teams of 3 will go head to head to head in knock-out qualifying rounds until the overall Little Ripper Clipper Cup winner is announced after a final round.
Relax on the deck at the club’s bistro – 20 Degrees South with a cool drink and a delicious meal and enjoy this sailing spectacle.
Friday 19 January 2024. Whitsunday Sailing Club. Race starts at 11am. Bistro open from 11.30am. No entry fee. All ages welcome.
TOUR A CLIPPER 70 RACING YACHT
Bring your family and step on board a Clipper 70 stripped-down ocean racing yacht. Take an above and below deck tour with the Race Crew that will call these yachts home for the next seven months. On deck, test your skills on one of the eleven winches that hoist the sails up the 29m [95 foot] mast. Below deck, explore the Nav Station, galley, bunks, stowage to see where the 20 Race Crew members live when off-watch.
Friday 19 January 2024, 11am – 3pm & Saturday 20 January, 10am – 3pm. M Arm, Coral Sea Marina. No entry fee. All ages welcome.
MEET THE AUSSIE LOCALS
Hosted in the lush Coral Sea Marina Gardens this event is open to the public and will give the visiting Clipper Race crews and their supporters the opportunity to ‘Meet the Aussie Locals’. Come down, enjoy some food and drinks, live music and experience an Aussie wildlife encounter!
The expert team at Whitsunday Wildlife will be there to provide a unique Aussie wildlife experience including a wildlife station and roving wildlife demonstrations.
The volunteers of Fauna Rescue will be serving up an Aussie classic ‘Sausage Sizzle’, with all proceeds being donated to Fauna Rescue. Drinks will be available for purchase and there will be live music from Total Entertainment.
Join the marina team in welcoming the Clipper Race crew and supporters and giving them a true ‘Meet the Aussie Locals’ experience.
Saturday 20 January 2024. 4 – 6pm. Coral Sea Marina Gardens (South Marina). No entry fee. Cash/ Eftpos available for food and drinks. All ages welcome.
PARADE OF SAILS
Watch the Clipper Race fleet line up in vibrant formation in Pioneer Bay before they head past the Great Barrier Reef to start Race Leg 5. The yachts will depart Coral Sea Marina bidding farewell to race supporters, then form a Parade of Sails in Pioneer Bay for spectators to get one last glimpse of the yachts before the next leg begins.
If you have your own boat head out on the water and enjoy the parade. If you don’t have a boat you can watch the fleet depart from the south marina village, grab a drink from one of our cafés and wave the fleet off from the land.