Sunsail Tonga
NEWS BRIEFS
Sunsail has opened a new base in Tonga on Vava'u. The 200 mile chain of islands has white coral beaches with coconut palms, turquoise blue lagoons, giant fern forests and breathtaking marine life. As an introduction to sailors, the company is offering a discount of 15%. There is excellent sailing weather all-year round with the best conditions from May to November.
?Wherever you sail in these delightful islands you can be sure to see something new and exciting at every turn,? said Sunsail?s marketing manager Kim Lehmann.
Guests fly into Fuamoto airport on Tongatapu before connecting with a short flight to Lupepa'u airport on Vava'u. The airport is just 10 minutes from the Sunsail base.
There are four different Sunsail Oceanis mono-hulls to choose from as well as a Sunsail catamaran ? all only three years old. They are available for bareboat or skippered charter.
For more information: www.sunsail.com.au
Allen fills CYCA cabinet
Commodore Matt Allen steered his Volvo 70 Ichi Ban to a line honour?s win in the 60th Brisbane to Gladstone race held during Easter with a time of 23 hours 34 minutes 10 seconds.
Handicap honours went to regular prize-winner Ray Roberts and his Quantum Racing crew who were closely followed by Wedgetail (with sister mag Australian Sailing's Vanessa Dudley in the crew).
Navico Australia goes direct
Navico Australia is to expand its distribution strategies to supply Simrad and Northstar products directly to all Australian dealers and boatbuilders from its Sydney logistics centre.
Navico Asia Pacific's chief operations officer, John Scott, said several factors, including the strengthening Australian dollar and the establishment of Navico's own support infrastructure, had led to the conclusion that supplying direct was the best business model for the company.
For more information: contact (612) 9936 1000 or visit www.navico.com
2008 Gosford Lord Howe
Organisers report strong early interest in the 2008 race which departs Broken Bay at 1300 on Saturday October 25. Skippers of four intending entrants have already contacted the organising committee to take part in the 414nm event, despite the fact that host club, the Gosford Sailing Club, is yet to release an NOR. The deadline for registering an Expression of Interest is May 14. All registered yachts will then receive a copy of the Notice of Race and an entry form.
Because the number of moorings within the Lord Howe Island lagoon is limited, participation in the race is always on an invitational basis. Only 20 safe anchorages are currently available during the event but the Race Committee and 2008 Race Director Mark Greenwood are hoping the island authorities may be able to provide temporary moorings for an extra two or three deep-draft yachts this year.
Interested boats should contact Gosford Sailing Club, PO Box 187 Gosford NSW 2250. Fax (02) 4323 4488, email: lhi@gosfordsailingclub.com.au. For further information: Mark Greenwood, Race Director, 0408 417 095
Sail Indonesia 2008
For 2008, there are two routes available for the three-month cruise through Indonesia: the first is the Eastern Passage Rally departing from Darwin on July 5 and the second is the traditional Western Passage Rally which will depart from Darwin for Kupang on July 26 and is now in its sixth year.
For details: www.sailindonesia.net/indonesia