This weekend will see the first testing of a new underwater configuration installed aboard the 30m superyacht Wild Oats XI. She will compete in the upcoming Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, kicking off on August 17, hosting almost 150 yachts.
This year’s Audi Hamilton Island Race Week provides a unique opportunity for one of the yacht owners competing in this popular race to win the spectacular Audi A1 Ambition compact car for $45,000 by winning the Audi Final Drive Challenge, demonstrating the driving skills at the wheel of an amazingly fast Audi R8 sports coupe.
With up to 200 yachts expected to compete in this year’s Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, running from August 17 to 25, the 2012 edition of this highly anticipated event is set to be the biggest one in its 29-year history.
Friday 24 August at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012 will once again see the Prix d’Elegance event, with focus on pure entertainment and the only necessity to dress up the crew as well as the yacht. The last year’s winner in the ‘Best Presented Yacht’ category was the 30m luxury yacht Investec Loyal.
Sean Langman’s Team Australia from Sydney and Simon Hull’s Team Vodafone from Auckland will face each other in this year’s Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. The winner will become the fastest offshore racing yacht in the South Pacific.
68 yachts have already confirmed their participation in the 29th edition of the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, with the line up of NZ yachts, ready to defend the South Pacific Trophy won two years ago.