Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week 2009 closed with another day or perfect sailing conditions in the beautiful Whitsundays. After 5 days of racing, all bar the few that were "robbed" by the handicappers had enjoyed some of the best weather in the events history.
Celebrating 20 years of the race, the event seemed "recession proof" according to Mick Phillips, representing the Whitsunday Sailing Club as entry numbers very nearly matched prior years.
Conditions through out the week were fairly consistent light South East or East winds, excepting Wednesday where a front moved quickly through, providing extra breeze for competitiors to return home easily in the "long race" which includes a clutch of Whitsunday islands including South Molle, Daydream, Cones, Armit and others.