The trade winds arrived in force for the opening day of racing at Hamilton Island Race Week 2026, with more than 25 knots of breeze and bumpy conditions giving sailors a serious workout in the Around the Islands Race.
The 22-boat Trailer Yacht fleet took on the fresh trades close to Hamilton Island, providing a tough assignment for some of the smallest boats in the fleet.
Family affair aboard +GST
+GST skipper Steve Girdis took the honours in the Trailer Yacht class with a family crew aboard. His crew included brother Michael, son Jordy, nephew Alex and his best mate Waldo.
“We had a fantastic day. It was so much fun, and what made it especially special was having four Girdises on board, plus one honorary family member,” Girdis said.
“We pulled it all together, and thankfully the course took us inshore when we were going upwind. It was brilliant fun and a great first day.”
Young crew delivers in IRC Division 1
Further north, racing around Lindeman Island in IRC Rating Division 1, Mark Spring and his young crew fought back from a difficult start to claim the opening-day win.
“We’re pretty happy. We’re absolutely pumped,” Spring said.
“We didn’t have a great start, but with a boat full of future rock stars, everyone locked in and got the job done.
“Six members of the team are under 25, and it is such a pleasure to watch them race.”
Viva La Vida, the fleet’s only US entry, took the honours in the Hamilton Island Blue Division, while John Whitbread’s Kerb won the hotly contested Hamilton Island Pink Division.
Classic Whitsundays conditions
Hamilton Island Race Director Denis Thompson said the opening day delivered the sort of conditions that make for memorable racing in the Whitsundays.
“We had a lovely trade wind of 20 to 25 knots. The rain cleared, the sun came out and it made for absolutely great sailing,” he said.
“Current is a big part of sailing here. You have to work the tides and make sure you are in the right place when they change.
“The race committee looks for courses that allow the fleet to carry the tide for as much of the race as possible or at least give them some assistance on the final leg home.
“We want to get everyone home smiling and in time for a beer.”
Racing continues tomorrow.
Now in its 41st edition, Hamilton Island Race Week, presented by American Express, brings together one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most diverse sailing fleets, from maxis, TP52s and multihulls to cruising yachts, sports boats and trailer yachts.
Results are available daily at:
https://tes.topyacht.net.au/results/2026/hirw/index.htm
For all Hamilton Island Race Week details, visit:
https://www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au
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