7:37 AM Fri 19 Jun 2009 GMT
 | | 'Alegria picked up some great breeze around the islands in the Port Stephens Marine Park on a recent training weekend - Port Stephens'
Moonshadow Cruises
Click Here to view large photo
|
The crew from Alegria enjoyed two days of solid sail training last weekend at Nelson Bay that included some wildlife adventures, with the Archambault 40 involved in a rather cosy encounter with a very curious whale in the Port Stephens Marine Park.
The Port Stephens region is widely known for its whale watching attraction at this time of the year, and one member of the migrating population didn't disappoint the visiting yachties, sideling up for a very close look at what colour crew shirts they were wearing on Saturday!
Fortunately Alegria was only doing five knots at the time the magnificent mammal of the deep decided to check them out - coming within a metre of the boat's hull, but a quick head to wind manoeuvre by skipper Rod Jones and his predominately Queensland based crew averted any physical contact and the whale continued happily on its way.
Currently leading the 2009 Audi IRC National Championship, the Alegria boys descended on Port Stephens for some acclimatisation and preparation for the Audi Sydney to Gold Coast Race in late July, and Rod was pleased with the efforts over the two days.
'We had light and therefore difficult conditions on Saturday, but managed to get a five hour block of genuine training done inside the Bay before kicking back for a cruisey end to the day watching the sunset in what is truly a beautiful spot to sail 'he said.
The cooler conditions meant the Queenslanders had to layer up on their usual shorts and t-shirts sailing apparel, but with some SLAM thermals to keep them warm at the beginning of the day, the adjustment to the few degrees lower temps wasn't so bad.
The easy option of being able to sail inshore and offshore is a big selling point for Rod, and Sunday's weather was a classic example of how the beauty of that choice at Port Stephens makes sailing in the area such an enjoyable exercise.
'On Sunday, there was very little wind inside the Bay, so within 15 minutes of leaving the dock at d'Albora Marina, we were poking our nose outside and picking up six to 12 knots offshore around the islands and clocking up another solid session - it was gold ! ' he said.
Appropriately the Alegria crew stayed minutes walk from the boat in a block called the Yachtsman's Apartments..
The economical price of the accommodation through Winning Holidays and very reasonable marina berthing costs at d'Albora, combined with the ease of access to the area by plane (direct flights daily into Newcastle Airport from the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Melbourne) means the boat will remain based in Port Stephens until the crew fly back in a few weeks to spend some time offshore in a mock race situation as they deliver the boat to Sydney in readiness for the 384 nautical mile race to the Gold Coast at the end of July.
The Audi Sydney Gold Coast Race marks the start of the CYCA's eight month Blue Water programme which is regarded as an important stepping-stone for owners and crew to gain vital offshore racing experience in the lead-up to competing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
The Alegria crew envisage that their training and bonding in Port Stephens in the lead up to this race and to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week will be a strong contributing factor to maximising their chances of holding onto the lead in the Audi IRC National Championship.
First timers to Sail Port Stephens in 2009, Rod already has the dates for 2010 in the schedule and is looking forward to bringing his family, and for his crew to bring their partners and kids to the event from the 12th to the 18th of April next year.
Sail and play at the Bay in 2010 - the Best is yet to come !
Save the Date for Sail Port Stephens - 12th to 18th April.
by Jody O'Brien
Click on thumbnails to enlarge and find more photos:
   |
Cape Leeuwin, WA
Kitesurfing - Accessories
Foiling - Wind Wing Foilboards
