Sailing, Stars & Stages: AVPartners at Hamilton Island Race Week 2025
August marked the 40th edition of Hamilton Island Race Week presented by American Express, Australia’s premier offshore sailing regatta set against the stunning backdrop of the Whitsundays. For nearly two decades, AVPartners has proudly partnered with Race Week, crafting extraordinary stages, immersive styling, and world-class audiovisual experiences that have become essential to the event’s vibrancy and prestige.
A Regatta Like No Other
Hamilton Island Race Week has evolved into more than just elite sailing—it’s a tropical festival of sport, hospitality, and entertainment. Now in its 40th year, the event continues to draw more than 150 yachts from Australia and around the world, transforming Hamilton Island into a dazzling hub of competition and celebration hosted by American Express for the first time in 2025.
The regatta spans a full week of on-water thrills and vibrant island life, including fashion-forward events, long lunches, beachfront parties, and legendary performances, all with the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsundays as your backdrop.
AVPartners: Behind the Scenes
This year, AVPartners brought Race Week to life across 19 on-shore events, including a presentation dinner for 650 guests, the dynamic Daily Festival Stage, and breathtaking soirées at qualia highlighted by a performance from international star Amy Manford. Live performances from Aussie icons Taxiride and Pseudo Echo elevated the energy﹘linking direct to each band’s pages for extra guest insight.
We powered large-scale Race Week TV broadcasts across the island, syncing our LED screens to the Foxtel-feed to bring every moment offshore, to every local audience member and directly to more than 500 hotel rooms.
Collaborations with celebrated brands like Mecca Cosmetica, Balter, Tanqueray, and Casamigos were activated through elegant AV and branding finesse, while floral artistry by Aleksandra Keast added a touch of natural beauty to each venue. All the stunning visuals you see were captured by our friends at Salty Dingo Media, Lean Timms, and Hamilton Island Photography.
Racing Triumphs & Memorable Moments
The 2025 race week saw over 155 Australian and international boats battling it out on the water. In the top division (Rating 1), Marcus Blackmore’s TP52 Hooligan, skippered by Olympian tactician Malcolm Page, triumphed in a dominant display of performance and teamwork. Meanwhile, standout results emerged across all divisions—from Seeking Alpha’s strong hold in Rating 2 to Karma Kaze taking out Trailer Yacht division, and Social Platform winning Multihull Black.
Regatta Director Denis Thompson praised the competitive yet collaborative spirit that defined the week, noting how well-handled handicapping and smooth race management ensured fairness and excitement across the fleet. Read More: Sailing World and Sails Magazine.
The Partner-Driven Difference™
From the shoreline to the stage, AVPartners ensured seamless technical delivery, where world-class moments happened, every day, and in every venue. Hosting the Festival Stage, powering broadcasts across Foxtel-linked screens, and curating event tech for 19 live events, we helped bring Race Week’s spectacle to life.
Looking Ahead
As we toast the 40th edition of Hamilton Island Race Week, AVPartners is more committed than ever to supporting this iconic event. Here’s to the next chapter of sailing spectacle, on-the-water triumphs, beachfront celebrations, and unforgettable audiovisual experiences.
Have an upcoming event? Let our Hamilton Island team elevate it. Say hello here.
