Entries have begun streaming in for the event that turns the picture postcard town of Airlie Beach, into the most colourful and undisputed yachting capital of Australia for a week.

That’s partly due to this year’s Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week having added some innovations guaranteed to broaden its racing appeal, (as well as its reputation for being the most social and entertaining event on the yachting calendar).

The innovations include the addition of new classes that will see the welcome mat rolled out for offshore multi-hulls as well as actively promoting the opportunity for people without access to a yacht, to participate as crew members on yachts in the racing fleet.

“We’ve just opened the entries and yet we already have registered about one-third of the total number we had when the starting gun fired on the first race day last year,” said ABRW Regatta Director, Mr Denis Thompson.

“That’s a fantastic start and augers well for an outstanding number of entries in this year’s event.

“We have introduced two new categories, one for offshore multi-hulls and another for Super 30’s featuring high performance keel boats.

“It’s great news for multi hull owners in the southern states who now can link two events together for a fortnight of racing in the Whitsundays.

“We also now are accommodating Sports Boats in a One Design category.”

A field of 130 yachts is expected, topping last year’s fleet of 99.

“Currently (as at June 2010) we have four times the number of entries we had the same time last year”, Denis Thompson says.

Airlie Beach Race Week, which will be run from August 12 to August 19, is renowned as an event where any skipper lodging an overly technical or relatively trivial protest, obviously has entered the wrong regatta.

Instead ABRW’s focus is on colourfully decked out crews, meeting new friends, being part of the township’s festive spirit and escaping the cold of southern latitudes.

That’s one of the reasons why the event’s web site at www.airliebeachraceweek.com.au will soon feature a new section allowing first timers, as well as experienced crew, to contact with skippers looking for additional hands on deck.

For many people, particularly those carrying an extra kilo or ten, race week provides an opportunity for them to sail free of charge as deck ballast assisting skippers to optimally trim their boats.

“The web site will allow these people to register as crews and communicate with skippers about levels of skill and relevant arrangements,” Mr Thompson said.

As well as conducting races for six days of the seven day event, race week also will have events for the most colourfully dressed crew and the Boss Hog award - presented to the crew which best captures the spirit of the event.

This year competitors, supporting crews and families also will have the chance to inspect development progress at the Port Of Airlie which is being created at the eastern end of the Airlie township by ABRW sponsor, Meridien Marinas.

The $750 million Port of Airlie which already has won a major regional award from the peak body representing the property development industry, the Urban Development Institute of Australia, features a multi-faceted development incorporating a marina, beachfront homesites, apartments, retail and commercial precinct and a Fantasea ferry and cruise terminal.

Public facilities being created for the community at no financial cost to residents include a new all tide, all weather sandy beach; headland park; town square; bus interchange and transit centre; boardwalk, ferry and cruise terminal, three-lane public boat ramp; and car parking.

Airlie Beach Race Week will be hosted at Meriden Marinas Abel Point marina located on Shingley Drive, Airlie Beach which has seen significant improvements to increase the marina’s capacity and facilities.

Most events will start mid-morning and are scheduled to have yachts back in the Abel Point Marina by around 4.30 p.m. each day.