10:00 PM Thu 4 Mar 2010 GMT
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'Once More Dear Friends is looking forward to being amongst the fleet at Sail Port Stephens 2010'
Sail Port Stephens Event Media
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There's a 12 metre Dubois with an incredible past and a beautifully sentimental name that will join in the fun at Sail Port Stephens this year.
Once More Dear Friends was the first yacht built by John McConaghy to a design of Ed Dubios for Peter Kurts.
This boat has seen some serious sea miles, proudly representing Australia at the Admirals Cup in 1983 and taking second place twice amongst the 13 Sydney Hobart's that she has completed.
After all that travelling and hard work, Once More Dear Friends is now very comfortable in her role as a cruising vessel with owner and skipper Roy Brough from Lake Macquarie Yacht Club entering her in the Sail Port Stephens regatta for the first time this year.
Once More Dear Friends is no certainly stranger to east coast regattas, having made the trip south in 2006 to take part in Skandia Geelong Week (now Audi Victoria Week) - so to have something so close to home is of great appeal to Roy and his crew.
'We have some friends who sailed at the regatta last year who had a marvellous time, and they're going again, so it was an easy decision for us to join them with our boat 'he said.
There are a few key things that influenced their decision to immerse themselves fully into the event, sailing in both the Commodores Cup at the start of the week and the Port Stephens Trophy at the back end of the week.
'We're looking forward to the social activities and being able to share the experiences on and off the water with our friends - our crew is best classified as older than average - so some days for us - crossing the finish line is a bonus!' he said with a grin.
'But we plan to enjoy all the aspects of Sail Port Stephens - the whole sailing and socialising package is very attractive! ' Roy said.
And the prospect of winning a trip to Croatia for two with Mariner Boating Holidays was the icing on the cake for Roy and his wife Jo, and if Once More Dear Friends is the lucky name pulled from the prize barrel by Trevor and Maggie Joyce (owners of Mariner Boating Holidays) on the last day of the regatta, the pair will travel to Europe for a well earned holiday!
The Mariner Boating Holiday to Croatia valued at $15,000 is not the only prize on offer at Sail Port Stephens 2010.
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Sail Solutions owner Greg Newton will be handing out some fun prizes every night at Sail Port Stephens - Sail Port Stephens Event Media
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Sail Solutions have joined the family as a prize partner this year, and each evening at the social function, business owner Greg Newton will team up with the Event MC to present some prizes for any notable efforts of the day that have nothing to do with handicaps or line honours.
With gorgeous Fendress Fender Covers and significant discounts on Rolly Tasker Sails part of the prize mix, the competition for recognition is set to be fierce and the entertainment factor of each presentation likely to be a fond memory of this year's regatta.
Family Friendly, Affordable and Fun.
This is Sail Port Stephens.
And the best is yet to come.
by Jody O'Brien
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Manly, QLD
