Lord Howe Island Cruise-in-Company keeps growing
At a time when entry lists for many of the major Australian offshore races seem to be shrinking, the annual BBQ cruise-in-company to Lord Howe Island has added numbers every year. This year's BBQ will be held at the Island on Tuesday 11 November. Most yachts set out late in the previous week. 
'Aerial view of Lord Howe island'
Sean Kelly Click Here to view large photo
More than 50 skippers and crew attended the event's unofficial QLD and information evening held in late June at the now-traditional Orient Hotel venue in Sydney. They represented 25 yachts with an interest in making the 850nm round trip to Lord Howe Island in early November. At least 15 of these confirmed their intention of sailing to the Island this year.
Classic yachts to join the 2008 cruise-in-company include Fidelis, Karalee, Lorelei, Suraya, Wild Wave and Wraith of Odin. They will sail alongside more modern craft such as A Bientot, Etosha, Fontana, Katinka and Margaret Rintoul V.
Another 10 yachts keen to tackle the return passage but yet to commit for this year's cruise sent their apologies. These included Cala Luna, Morning Tide and Spirit of Koomooloo.
Sir James Hardy, who sailed in the 2005 event on Vittoria, briefly addressed the gathering and recommended the event as an enjoyable offshore outing in a good cause. (Participants gather on the Island for a grand all-night BBQ at Ned's Beach to raise funds for the local school.)
Tony Purkiss of Etosha also urged attending skippers to consider a new combined race/cruise from Newcastle to Lord Howe Island which is being planned by the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club for May 2009.
Unattached crew interested in joining a yacht for this year's cruise can register with Rhod Cook at rhodc(at)bigpond.net.au
by David Salter 
Maroochy River, QLD
