2:18 AM Wed 21 Oct 2009 GMT
'Shorty' and 'Sal' would have been in their element when Sydney's world-famous Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) did itself proud with a fabulous farewell to its two illustrious members, Andrew 'Shorty' Short and Sally 'Sal' Gordon.
With the club burgee at half-mast, members, friends, guests and 'mates' turned up in numbers to honour the lost sailors, both of whom tragically died when 'Shorty's' 24.0-metre maxi crashed into Flinders Islet, off Port Kembla, two weeks ago.
The gathering at the CYCA began following the impressive funeral service for 'Shorty' held at Sydney's St.Mary's Cathedral.
'Sal' was farewelled earlier in the week on the NSW Central Coast, near where what had become her home town since she and family moved from Melbourne some years ago.
I doubt the CYCA's Rushcutters Bay facility has ever played host to a larger gathering.
Even the massive crowds that flock to the club every Boxing Day morning in preparation for the annual Sydney-Hobart classic would have been outnumbered by those taking time out to remember two popular 'yachties.'
Many went to great pains to point out that while they were there as a mark of respect, they were not simply mourning, but were celebrating two loved and highly productive lives.
The function was an absolute credit to the CYCA; Commodore Matt Allen and the club's directors pulled out all stops to ensure no stone was overlooked.
Additional bar and restaurant staff were rostered on, parking attendants were organised, taxi and bus pick and drop off zones organised.
Those attending included yachting competitors of the two, not only from the CYCA, but from numerous other yachting and sailing clubs, customers and staff from 'Shorty's' business empire, Andrew Short Marine Services, representatives from NSW Maritime, the NSW Water Police, the Boating Industry Association of NSW and a score of hard-core business competitors, many of whom flew in from interstate to honour a man they had the utmost respect for.
Boating 'baron' Bill Barry-Cotter (Maritimo), Greg Haines (The Haines Marine Group) and Bob James (Horizon Aluminium Boats) were among those who came down from
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Double Is Pt, QLD
