Fleet of close to 200 boats set for Hamilton Island Race Week's 41st edition

The 41st Hamilton Island Race Week is set to host a fleet of 194 entries, up from 145 in 2025, with crews expected to converge on Australia’s Whitsundays for a week of offshore racing. The event, the premier offshore sailing regatta in Australia, runs in 2026 and is presented by American Express. Among notable entrants is Stacey Jackson, an experienced Australian offshore sailor, returning after switching to the Touche 42 following rudder damage to Indigo II in the GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race. Jackson said it will be her 15th appearance at the regatta, and she highlighted navigation, tides and local breezes as key challenges. This comes after a standout year that included sailing with Yacht Club de Monaco’s winning Admiral’s Cup team and joining The Famous Project CIC, which set a women’s reference time for the Jules Verne Trophy course. Race Director Denis Thompson said Jackson’s move benefits the regatta and noted 10 boats across the Super 40 Plus class, promising a hard-fought division.