Entries come from far afield as SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week prepares to unfold

 Pictured above: Down Wind through haze, photo Revolution Productions SMIRW

Whether you are sailing the largest boats in the fleet, such as 60 footers Awen and Samurai, or the smallest, like Guilty Pleasures X and Peow Peow, at 6.50 metres each, all competitors will have equal amount of racing and fun at 2025 SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week (SMIRW), to be held from 28 August to 3 September.

In between there are myriad interesting entries, some with a close connection to Magnetic Island. Newcomer Ray Martin, representing Nedlands Yacht Club, is Western Australia’s only entry. His Farrier F85sr, Beatrix is in the Multihull division.

“This is my first time to Magnetic Island. We’re originally from Melbourne but have been living in Perth for the last 14 years. We’ve never been to a big boat regatta, so this will be the trip of a lifetime, a retirement gift for my wife Ro and I,” Martin explains.

“If you’re going to travel over 5000 kilometres by road with your boat, you want to do as much as you can, so we’re committed to all the northern regattas and Magnetic Island will be our last.

“Obviously, the chance to race against other boats in beautiful tropical waters is attractive to us. My brother, Ian Martin, will race the boat with us. Ian lives in North Eton and comes to Townsville to sail. He calls Townsville his ‘beach house’.

“My 92-year-old father and 88-year-old mother had their honeymoon on Maggie Island 65 years ago. They live in Brisbane and are coming over as well. We are all really looking forward to it. We’re all staying at Peppers Resort and it’ll be a big celebration for all of us,” Martin ends.

Pictured above: Beatrix in Esperance on the way to Queensland Photo Ray Martin

Tim Woods is another entrant with a family tie. His Serenity is one of the larger boats taking part this year. The attractive Amel 55 is a ketch and that alone will make her a standout when she graces the start line of the Non-Spinnaker division.

Woods has owned Serenity since July 2018 when she caught his eye at the Sydney International Boat Show.

“We sailed it away from the Sydney Boat Show in August and straight up to Hamilton and Magnetic Island Race Weeks that year,” he says.

“I had such a good time after first sailing at Maggie on Renaissance a few years back, that I just had to come back, which I did in 2018 and again now.

“Magnetic Island and Townsville are very special to my family, because my sister and I both sailed with our father to Magnetic Island in 1989. We’re a sailing family,” Woods says.

“My father (David Woods), served in the second World War. He did his training in Townsville. He bought a VJ that he sailed there the whole time during his training. He convinced the Captain to let him take the VJ on board the ship and sailed it in the Solomon Islands and other places where some had never seen a VJ before. He photographed the Japanese surrender at one of those islands.”

Woods continues, “My sister Edwina (Kramer) is a champion sailor from Port Douglas and is joining us again at Maggie, along with her husband Andy Kramer. He’s been a skipper on Quicksilver, taking people around the Barrier Reef.”  

A Melburnian who now calls Sydney home, but keeps the Melbourne connection going, Woods is a promotor: “I have the Simon and Garfunkel Story coming up in Townsville on 29 August – for once my sailing is dictating my work!

“I can’t wait to come back to Maggie Race Week to compete again. It’s quite special with the Around the Island Race and has so much to offer, including the brilliant Denis Thompson (Principal Race Officer).

“First and foremost, we plan to enjoy ourselves and to keep clear of the other boats, because the boat can be very slow to tack.”

Rob Aldis is bringing his Mylius 50, Daguet 2, up from Sydney for the first time. He says, “We were up there year before last with Kayimai. This will be our first at the Island with Daguet 2. I’ll generally be crewed by the usual crew from both boats,” he said.

Comparing the various regattas up north, Aldis, who is Commodore of Middle Harbour Yacht Club said, “We enjoy it (Magnetic Island). I think it’s a bit more casual and more intimate. It’s a nice way to end the northern regatta circuit before coming home.”   

Racing aside, for the 18^th edition, Townsville Yacht Club will release details of the social program for this much loved event, on 17 July. Everyone’s favourites, including free live music on the deck at Peppers Headquarters every evening, along with the and the fun-filled community event at Picnic Bay on Lay Day, are returning.

Join Star 106.3 for our Leisurely Long Lunch proudly supported by Mater, on Friday, 29  August at SMIRW. Help us raise awareness and much needed funds for the new Mater Hospital Maternity Ward, supporting mothers and babies as they navigate one of the most powerful moments. Tickets go on sale on 17 July - so tune into SMIRW’s Facebook page to stay posted on all social events.

SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week is supported by Townsville City Council through Townsville Enterprise.

For all information including list of entries please visit: www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au  

By Di Pearson/SMIRW media