The 31st Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2014 took place last week from August 16 – 23.

Over 160 yachts raced during the week, with the sailing activity was complemented (or dare we say, outshone) by the onshore activities.

Audi ambassadors and iconic Australian chefs Matt Moran, Kylie Kwong and Shannon Bennett delighted guests. Bennett brought his signature haute cuisine to Qualia with a degustation-style menu celebrating local Whitsundays produce. Matt Moran’s ‘Chiswick’ style Long Pavilion dinner reflected his paddock-to-plate food philosophy and Kylie Kwong presented an intimate, Chinese family-style dinner at Pebble Beach.

This year’s fashion event was presented by online luxury fashion retailer net-a-porter.com. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception before joining the Oatley family for the inaugural runway event showcasing the pieces from a number of  international designers. Guests were also had the opportunity to discuss the latest trends with net-a-porter.com’s personal shopping team in a dedicated shopping suite.

The big event for the week was the Charles Heidsieck Champagne Lunch where 250 guests enjoyed a selection of Charles Heidsieck Champagnes paired with a four-course meal created by qualia Executive Chef, Alastair Waddell.

The Poolside with Paspaley lunch, hosted by Christopher Paspaley, was a hit with visitors. During the lunch, pearl divers searched for ‘pearls’ in the Pebble Beach pool, with one lucky guest taking home an exquisite Lavalier bleu necklace.

The Wild Oats Ladies Lunch, hosted by Melissa Doyle saw Coca Chu come alive and the Beef and Reef dinner that evening gave guests yet another chance to chow down on the best seafood and local meats.

Other events included an Ibiza-inspired Sangria Marina Party on Front Street, the Paspaley Pearl Boutique, the Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Bar at Bommie Deck, beachside Yoga, the Eat Street Food Markets at the Marina, sports challenges including the Audi vehicle tug of war, the Audi e-tron hub showcasing the latest vehicle technology and the renowned Henri Lloyd fashion parade.