Waterfront rumours across Australia that a new political party would be launched during the 30th edition of this year’s Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, have been confirmed. The event will run only weeks before the federal election.
Beneteau 50 yacht Holy Cow, Best Themed Yacht at the Prix d’Elegance, Audi Hamilton Island Race Week last year - Image by Andrea Francolini
Details are sketchy at this stage, but it is known that the announcement will be heard and seen during the staging of the Prix d’ Elegance on Friday, August 23. It will involve regatta stalwart, John Clinton, and his colourful crew aboard the Beneteau 50 design, Holy Cow yacht.
‘If Clive Palmer can start up his own political party then there’s nothing stopping us from starting the Holy Cow Party,’ said the handsomely-bearded Clinton, who is the high-profile leader, drummer and vocalist for Australia’s legendary southern-style band, The Wolverines. ‘I can’t say any more at this stage because, if I do, then we might not win the Prix d’Elegance Trophy, and that’s more important than anything else to us.’
The reason Clinton and crew will be making such a special effort at this year’s Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is that they want to win the trophy for ‘The Best Themed Yacht’ in the Prix d’Elegance for an unprecedented third time.
Always one to be topical, Clinton and his wife, Kim, won the keenly sought-after trophy last year with a theme taken from the international bestselling book, Fifty Shades of Grey. However, they based their theme around their favourite colour for the yacht – green.
Sailing yacht Holy Cow - Prix d'Elegance 2013 (Image by Ciaran Handy)
Holy Cow paraded past the judges on Hamilton Island Yacht Club’s Flag Deck with the crew uniforms being predominantly green, and a large banner on the boom reading, ‘Fifty Shades of Green’, while on deck the crew – some dressed in plastic body parts – humorously re-enacted some of the erotic activities detailed in the book.
‘Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is all about having fun, on and off the water,’ said Clinton, ‘and the Prix d’Elegance is one of the highlights of the week. Crews really get into the spirit of it and let their imaginations run wild.
‘We’ve been planning Holy Cow’s entry for some weeks already. I think it’s going to make a big impression on everyone.’
Trophies are presented for two categories in the Prix d’Elegance: the ‘Best Presented Yacht’ (where the yacht is perfectly presented, with the crew, in matching uniforms, lining the deck etc.); and the ‘Best Themed Yacht’, where themes have included political satire, tropical island settings, bubble baths and a tribute to the late Michael Jackson.
Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2013 headquarters – the spectacular Hamilton Island Yacht Club (Image: Paul Cincotta)
The entry list for the 30th Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, which will be staged from August 17-24, continues to grow at record pace. The 100th entry is expected to be lodged in the next few days.
Luxury carmaker, Audi, returns as the title sponsor of Hamilton Island Race Week in 2013. The German premium brand will host a range of special events on the island for yacht owners and guests to enjoy during the week.
