Hamilton Island Race Week 2026
Hamilton Island Race Week 2026 - Overall
The champions of Hamilton Island Race Week presented by American Express have been crowned, bringing the 41st edition of the iconic Whitsundays regatta to a close.
After a week featuring strong breezes, shifting conditions, rain squalls, sunshine and spectacular racing around the islands, the crews of 194 boats gathered for the official presentation evening on Hamilton Island.
More than 1,200 sailors took part across the week, with racing spanning grand prix yachts, cruising divisions, multihulls, non-spinnaker boats and trailable yachts.
IKON was awarded the Leon O’Donoghue Memorial Trophy as Boat of the Week after completing an outstanding regatta in Rating Division 2.
Bruce McCracken’s family team finished with a perfect scorecard, winning all six races sailed under IRC. With the series discard applied, IKON completed the week on the minimum possible score of five points.
McCracken said the team’s success had been almost two decades in the making.
“We’ve had this team together for 18 years, so it’s not an overnight sensation. We’ve been working at this for a long time and have had some good results along the way, but this regatta has been fantastic,” McCracken said.
“We’ve really enjoyed it, it’s been fun, and we’ve all learned something, including me.
“We’ve been very privileged to have all these guys with us for a long time. We’ve got our daughter, my son-in-law, all their friends and relations and everyone else with us.
“It is very special that we’ve been able to keep this together for so long, and I’m proud they’re happy enough to stick with me, or that I stick with them. I don’t know which way it goes.”
IKON’s family crew included McCracken’s daughter Breeahn and his grandsons, ten-year-old North and eight-year-old Cove, who were competing at Hamilton Island Race Week for the first time.
“Sailing with my family has been very fun. You learn heaps of things every time you go out,” North said.
IKON’s tactician and McCracken’s son-in-law, Rodney, praised the experience and teamwork across the boat.
“You just point the boat where it needs to go, and they make it happen. They’re an excellent crew,” he said.
David Hamilton’s Seeking Alpha finished second in Rating Division 2 under IRC, with Paul Arns and Geoff Bishop’s Obsession third.
Rating Division 1 delivered a thrilling conclusion, with Sandy Oatley’s Wild Oats X securing the IRC title ahead of Peter White’s First Light. Mark Spring’s Highly Sprung completed the podium in third, also claiming the Rating Division 1 title under TPR scoring, ahead of Lee Hawksley’s Gusto and Robert Kelly’s Virago.
The depth of the New South Wales fleet was recognised with the Hitchhiker Trophy for the best-performing state. New South Wales boats filled every podium position across Rating Divisions 1 and 2 under IRC.
Super 40+ featured three scoring systems and closely fought battles throughout the week.
Raymond Roberts’ Team Hollywood won under IRC, ahead of FOMO, skippered by Caillin Howard and Geoff Boettcher, with Sam Haynes’ Celestial third.
Peter Higgins’ Black Sparrow secured the Super 40+ ORC title, ahead of Team Hollywood and Ari Abrahams’ Fargo. Black Sparrow also won under SFR scoring, with Fargo second and Team Hollywood third.
Grant Wharington’s Wild Thing 100 won Hamilton Island Blue, ahead of Walter Carpenter’s Caol Ila and Ben Davidson’s Sea Fever.
Hamilton Island Pink went to Brenton and Jennifer Carnell’s Phoenix49 following a close week-long contest. Sharon Ferris-Choat’s Vixen Racing finished second, with John Whitbread’s Kerb third.
David Lamond’s Adela X won Hamilton Island Yellow, ahead of Danielle Fraser’s Jac Hoi and Greg Brand’s Brand X.
Paul King’s Nautilass claimed Hamilton Island Orange, with Derek Minihane’s Impulse second and Ian Coombes’ Fontana third.
Hamilton Island Green went to Carl Nicholls’ Bonaventure, ahead of Gary Davison’s Solaire and Neil Young’s Carbontest.au.
Terry Robinson’s Miyu won Multihull Racing under OMR, with Troy Forrest’s Mint second and Mike Peberdy’s Rare Groove third.
Rare Groove also received the Gun Boat Trophy after recording seven line honours victories, the most of any boat across the week. The trailable yacht +GST, Wild Thing 100, Carbontest.au and Maritimo 100 each recorded six line honours victories in their respective divisions.
Under EHC, Stuart Cox’s Cut Snake secured the Multihull Racing title, ahead of Mint and Gordon Beath’s Roamance.
Andrew Bruce’s Fruition won Multihull Hamilton Island White, with Kevin Lord’s Vivacious second and Stephen Leonard’s Sea Dragon third.
John Clifford’s Zikomo took the Multihull Hamilton Island Black title, ahead of Bruce McKay’s The Straycat and Bryan Bailie’s Ocean Serenity.
In Non-Spinnaker Black and White, Renee Cordingley’s Bella Due claimed the series title ahead of Mark Miller’s Namadgi 3 and Glenn Myler’s Thylacine One.
Bella Due was also awarded the Don McLean Trophy as the best-performing North Queensland boat at the regatta.
Bill Barry-Cotter’s Maritimo 100 won Non-Spinnaker Grey, with Remco Pen’s Bigger Day Out second and Graeme Trewavis’ Asadori third.
The Trailable Yachts title went to Steve Girdis’ +GST, ahead of Simon Morris’ Offshore Account and David Freedman’s Maximum Limit.
The popular Prix d’Elegance also featured among the presentation evening celebrations. Sea Fever won Best Themed Yacht for its Top Gun theme, while Marguerite received the award for Best Presented Yacht.
The 42nd edition of Hamilton Island Race Week will return from 20 to 27 August 2027.
All Race Week details are available at www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au
by Hamilton Island Race Week
