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4:40 AM Tue 21 Apr 2009 GMT
A moderate south- easterly breeze is sending the Commodores Cup fleet on a course called
'Explore the Bay' today; taking them up into the western reaches of the Port Stephens Marine Park on day 2 of Sail Port Stephens.
The fleet has swelled to 20, with 2008 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Handicap winner Quest putting the TP52 in cruise mode for the next two days as they take some partners, wives and kids out for a leisurely sail, giving them the chance to enjoy the beautiful surrounds of the Port Stephens Marine Park - with any luck, do a bit of dolphin watching that the area is famous for !
Defending Commodores Cup champion, Bushranger, will be keen to make up some ground after a mid fleet finish yesterday, but for owner Gerry Hatton, these first 3 days of the regatta are all about having fun with family and friends.
'It's always nice to get a win, but every day is a winner for me when I can enjoy the boat with my daughter and her husband and my two grandsons on board - and that's why we love Sail Port Stephens - we make a real family holiday out of it ' he said.
Gerry leaves the serious racing to his son in law (Mike Fountain), who has a bunch of mates turn up on Thursday night to take over the Beneteau 40.7 and race in the Yachting NSW IRC Championships that get underway at lunch time on Friday.
The Commodores Cup will conclude tomorrow, with a prize giving tomorrow night - then crews take a well earned lay day before racing steps up a gear on Friday with the IRC Championship and the Port Stephens Trophy, along with the National titles for the Melges 24 - a get up and go one design sports boat, one of the fastest growing trail-able fleets in the world.
From Friday through Sunday, yachts of all sizes will race on a range of courses and areas around the Bay and offshore, with great spectator spots to watch the starts off the break wall at d'Albora Marina.
There are a number of vantage points - including Peppers Anchorage at Corlette Point and from the jetty in front of All Seasons Salamander Shores at Soldiers Point, where locals and visitors can take in the spectacle of a fleet of over 30 boats, ranging in size from 65 to 24 foot.
The Sandy Foot Bar Courtyard at Shoal Bay Resort and Spa is also an ideal spot to sit back with a glass of Wild Oats Rose and watch the boats round the marker buoy at the bottom of the Shoal Bay Basin.
About a third of the total number of competitors are already in race mode in the Commodores Cup, and from Thursday the size of the fleet more than triples, with close to 65 boats taking to the water across the Anzac Day weekend.
Since its inception, Sail Port Stephens has had invaluable resource support from Business Port Stephens, an initiative of Port Stephens Council, and the inaugural group of Foundation Partners in Nelson Bay Diggers, All Seasons Salamander Shores, Peppers Anchorage and Shoal Bay Resort and Spa have, even in tough economic times, all continued to believe in the long term vision for the regatta and what it brings to the region.
International sailing clothing brand, SLAM, continue their support as the Official Clothing supplier, and d'Albora Marina are a great partner with their on-site support and special deals for regatta participants.
Newcomers to the Supporting Partner group for 2009 include Wild Oats Wines as the Official Wine Partner of the Regatta and Tooheys New White Stag - full strength low carb beer, as the Official Beer of the event, and International Paints have joined in the fun, sponsoring a daily award known as the International Magic Moment of the Day.
Check out daily updates at www.sailportstephens.com.au
by Jody O'Brien
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Mount Wellington, TAS
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