Photos: Supplied.
Brisbane Race Week will showcase its signature array of diverse sailing formats over a festive five days from 2 to 7 May 2025 in southern Moreton Bay.
Hosted for the second year and with three divisions, the regatta caters to thoroughbred racing yachts, cruising monohulls, and multihulls while opening its doors for the general public to enjoy the spectacle.
“Brisbane Race Week is a week of friendly rivalry between all sailing clubs based in South-East Queensland. It has swelled in popularity due to the unique sailing courses and active social calendar of events,” says race organiser and participant Anton Prange.
“We are thrilled to see many more entries from a variety of clubs and have prepared an action-packed week on and off the water for our participants and community.”
Friday kicks off the event in 2025 with Formula-1-style ‘hot laps’ around Green Island, with the winner completing the most laps in a three-hour window before the popular opening fiesta with Mexican fare and entertainment at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.
Weekend racing sees the stakes raised with short, handcrafted courses putting crews to the test and using the newly installed recreational marks, followed by more themed evening celebrations at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and Wynnum Manly Yacht Club. A Texan Night on Sunday at Wynnum Manly Yacht Club reinforces the ‘cross-border’ sentiment and cheerful rivalry between the clubs.
A long passage race on Monday allows yachts to stretch their legs with beautiful Brisbane and Moreton Island as a backdrop, with the day ending at a community fundraiser event of Burgers, Beer and Bingo supporting the Making Waves Foundation. Making Waves provides unique on-water experiences for young people with disabilities or young adults experiencing disadvantage and is based at Manly.
Finally, after a day of rest for Labour Day, Wednesday welcomes the mother of all pursuit races. With handicaps and start times already decided, it’s a winner-takes-all battle, with the first boat across the line winning the race.
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron invites all sailors to register for the five-day event by visiting brisbaneraceweek.au. Early bird discount is available until 26 April 2025, and one-day passes are available for $38 (casual entry).
The week is open to the public to come along and enjoy the festive atmosphere of Brisbane’s premier regatta week, including live entertainment and food options on the waterfront lawns of RQYS’ Brisbane bayside home in Manly.
CONTRIBUTED BY ROYAL QUEENSLAND YACHT SQUADRON, MANLY
