One Day to Go: Hamilton Island Race Week 2026 Begins Tomorrow 14 August 2026 14 August 2026 – Hamilton Island: The countdown is on, with the 41st edition of Australia's premier offshore sailing destination in the heart of the Whitsundays - Hamilton Island Race Week, presented by American Express - set to begin tomorrow. A near-record fleet of 194 boats – up from 145 in 2025 for the historic 40th celebrations – will converge on Hamilton Island for a week of racing, with crews travelling from overseas and every Australian state to take part. Hamilton Island Race Week officially gets underway tomorrow evening, Saturday 15th August, with the Nautilus Marine Insurance Skippers’ Welcome at Hamilton Island Yacht Club, before racing itself commences in Dent Passage on Sunday 16 August. Six days of competition, split by Wednesday’s lay day, will run through to Saturday 22 August. The fleet is shaping up for a highly competitive week on the water, with entries across a diverse range of classes – including the growing TP52 division, now up to five boats. Hamilton Island Chief Operating Officer Renae Trimble said she was looking forward to experiencing the regatta on island. Renae will be joined on island by incoming Hamilton Island Chief Executive Officer Chris Mills. “This year's event marks a new chapter for Hamilton Island and for me, as I join the Hamilton Island team ahead of my first Race Week as Chief Operating Officer. I'm looking forward to experiencing the excitement of Race Week first-hand, from watching the starts in Dent Passage and the racing on the water to enjoying the outstanding hospitality, dining and entertainment that keep sailors and visitors coming back year after year” Trimble said. “There’s been a fantastic buzz building on the island as crews begin to arrive for Race Week. It’s incredible to see the fleet grow to almost 200 boats this year, and to watch the whole island come together. It’s an exciting week for everyone involved, and we can’t wait to get started.” Domestically, New South Wales remains the largest state contingent with 73 entries, ahead of Queensland (57) and Victoria, which recorded the largest year-on-year increase in participation, growing from 25 boats in 2025 to 40 this year. Since its inception in 1984, Race Week continues to bring together elite offshore crews and newcomers to the sport across a cross-section of yachts, multihulls, and trailable classes for passage racing around the mostly uninhabited islands surrounding Hamilton Island. Spectators can follow the fleet from Hamilton Island Marina, take in the racing from the island's vantage points, or join the crowds for live music and entertainment along Front Street each evening, free of charge. Many combine the week with a day trip to Whitehaven Beach or Heart Reef, a round of golf or a spa treatment, and the traditional lay day brings the whole island together for a Race Week beach party on Catseye Beach. Onshore, opening weekend brings a feast for the senses Joining the on-island culinary team, Hamilton Island’s Race Week’s opening weekend will see two internationally acclaimed chefs taking up residence at the award-winning qualia. Michelin-starred French chef Pascal Barbot of Paris restaurant L’Astrance will present a bespoke multi-course menu at Long Pavilion, presented by Volvo Cars, on Saturday 15 August, marking his first collaboration with qualia. The following day, Sydney chef Lennox Hastie of Firedoor and Gildas is back by popular demand to bring his wood-fired cooking to Pebble Beach, presented by American Express, for a third Race Week appearance. Renowned Australian jeweller Margot McKinney will also be in residence at the qualia Beach House over the opening weekend, giving guests the chance to view her one-of-a-kind, gemstone-led creations up close. Beyond the water, the broader onshore program brings together dining, entertainment and celebration across the island, including a Long Lunch with acclaimed chefs Josh Niland and Khanh Ong presented by American Express at Niland’s Catseye Pool Club, an In Conversation session with Olympic silver medallist Olivia Price and America’s Cup sailor Cole Tapper at Bommie Restaurant, the Kylie Minogue Wines Garden Party at Beach Pavilion, the Tanqueray Supper Club at Romano’s, Front Street activations including a Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cart, Casamigos Club, American Express Sunset Lounge, and spectator cruises aboard superyacht Rascal courtesy of new Official Superyacht Partner Ahoy Club. Event details Racing runs from Sunday 16 August to Saturday 22 August 2026. The Prix d’Elegance will be held before racing on Thursday 20 August, with awards for Best Presented Yacht and Crew and Best Fun-Themed Yacht and Crew. In keeping with Hamilton Island’s sustainability commitments, balloons are not permitted at the event. The Presentation dinner will close out an incredible week on the island. It will take place on the evening of Saturday 22 August 2026. Watch: 2025 Hamilton Island Race Week highlights Vision of last year’s action is available via VNR here. All Race Week details are available on the website and via socials. @hamiltonislandraceweek @hamiltonisland Onshore program and spectator tickets: www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au/event-tickets Images Image selects available here. Further images available via the Hamilton Island image library here (one-time registration required). Sponsors Hamilton Island is delighted to once again welcome American Express as the presenting partner and thank them for their continued support of Hamilton Island Race Week. Race Week would not be possible without the support of valued partners and sponsors including Volvo, Nautilus Marine Insurance, Ahoy Club, Balter, Casamigos, Tanqueray, Charles Heidsieck, Piper Heidsieck, Dufour, Kylie Minogue Wines, REVO, Robert Oatley Wines, Sail Racing, Saya Skincare, Panerai, AVPartners and Tourism and Events Queensland. - ENDS - About Hamilton Island Race Week Hamilton Island Race Week 2026 will be held from 15–22 August 2026. Hamilton Island Race Week is Australia’s premier offshore sailing regatta and has been a highlight of the national sailing calendar for more than four decades. Attracting close to 200 yachts and crews from across Australia and around the world, the regatta was established in 1984 and is renowned for its challenging racing, spectacular Whitsundays setting and vibrant week-long program of onshore events, dining and celebrations in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. About Hamilton Island Hamilton Island is Australia’s tropical island in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, offering direct flights from major east coast cities in under 2.5 hours from door to the reef. The island features a wide range of accommodation, from family-friendly apartments to luxurious stays at private retreat qualia and boutique hotel The Sundays. Guests can enjoy two spas, a golf course, over 20 restaurants and bars, and more than 60 activities and experiences, including tours to world-famous Whitehaven Beach and the iconic Heart Reef. Hamilton Island Media Enquiries Caroline Denyer – Group Communications Manager, Hamilton Island (au | +61 (0) 433 995 947) Kate Witenden – PR Consultant pr@hamiltonisland.com.au Sailing Media Enquiries Nic Douglass - nic@sunsetmedia.co