New State Challenge Trophy launched at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012

While the Australian and New Zealand teams do battle to decide which will hold the South Pacific Trophy aloft at the end of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012, sailors from Australia’s three eastern mainland states have decided to mount their own cross-border, state-of-origin series at the regatta.

A team of three yachts from each state will vie for a new perpetual trophy – the Hamilton Island State Challenge Trophy – across the current week of racing, which concludes next Saturday.

It is intended that the contest will become an integral part Race Week on an annual basis and hopefully grow to include teams from all states.

The idea for the challenge was proposed to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week Regatta Director, Denis Thompson, by Victorian yachtsman, Dave Ellis. It was subsequently decided that each team would be drawn from three of the divisions competing at the regatta.

Hamilton Island’s Event and Brand Manager, Nicky Tindill, endorsed the plan and has set about finding a suitable trophy which, like the stunning new South Pacific Trophy, will recognise the winning team from each year and go on permanent display at Hamilton Island Yacht Club.

The owners of all team yachts nominated for this year’s challenge enthusiastically welcomed news of the new event, all agreeing that it had the potential to become a keenly contested part of Race Week in future years, starting with next year’s 30^th anniversary series.

The teams contesting the State Challenge at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week this year are:

Queensland

Black Jack (Peter Harburg)

Lunchtime Legend (Bob Robertson)

Jessandra II (Roland Dane)

Victoria:

Living Doll (Michael Hiatt)

Mondo (Stephane Howarth)

Penfold Audi Sport (David Ellis)

New South Wales:

Loki (Stephen Ainsworth)

Victoire (Darryl Hodgkinson)

Philosopher’s Club (Peter Sorenson)

Luxury carmaker, Audi, returns as the main partner of Hamilton Island Race Week in 2012. The German premium brand will host a range of special events on the island for yacht owners and guests to enjoy during the week.