2023 Hamilton Island Race Week Skippers Race Briefing

Hamilton Island Race Week was conceived by David Hutchen in 1983, after he had moved to the Whitsundays in Queensland Australia with his yacht “Banjo Paterson” to start a yacht charter business. David was able to convince the then owner and founder of Hamilton Island, Keith Williams, to agree to hosting the event as a way of generating tourism and favourable media attention to the resort. After eight years of having Race Week in April, it was moved to August in 1992 to take advantage of more consistent and attractive weather conditions. The change in timing has seen the event grow significantly over the years becoming Australia's largest offshore yachting regatta.