7:55 PM Wed 10 Mar 2010 GMT
The Melges 32 is currently one of the most successful one design class racing stories in America and Europe, and one of the first owners of a Melges 32 in Australia is quietly confident that this country will follow the same growth.
Last year's winner of the Port Stephens Trophy (PHS), Kim Williams, with his Melges 32 Rock n Roll will be back to defend the title in a few weeks time, and has a long term vision for how this exciting one design fleet can grow and be a regular fixture at Sail Port Stephens.
'We are very keen to get a Super 30 division at Port Stephens racing under AMS, with the ultimate goal to include Sail Port Stephens on the Melges 32 one design regatta schedule as the class grows in Australia' he said.
'We currently have six Melges 32's in the country, and the growing interest in the class has been fantastic, with crews from the Farr40's and a lot of other sport-boat classes getting ready to get involved' said Kim.
Principal Race Officer Denis Thompson, together with the regatta organising team, welcome this enthusiasm with open arms.
They are confident that as Sail Port Stephens is able to expand the human resources involved in race management and the powerboat resources required to facilitate a larger number of courses,incorporating a Super 30 division would be a great addition to the growing regatta.
'In the future, we'd love to have a Super 30 division at Port Stephens, it would be fantastic for the event,' said Regatta Director Paul O'Rourke.
Taking home the silverware always has the tendency to evoke fond memories of a regatta, however Kim believes it's a combination of a number of things other than just what happens on the water that has prompted their decision to come back to Sail Port Stephens in 2010.
'We enjoy the clean air racing, with well organised courses and we like the general atmosphere that the regatta is generating'said Kim.
'Each successful regatta has its own atmosphere and I think Port Stephens offers a nice change' he said.
Whilst some people are using Sail Port Stephens as a great family holiday, for Kim and his crew, it's all about the racing, and with them only doing the 3 days at the back end of the week with the Port Stephens Trophy, in the newly created PHS Racing Division, they will be concentrating their time and energy into the regatta and getting results.
Kim and his crew are repeating their same winning habits from last year, and have secured a very comfortable self contained apartment close to the marina through accommodation partner Winning Holidays.
For entering before 5pm this Friday, Rock N Roll has scored a bonus two entries in the draw for the major prize of a trip for two to Croatia with Mariner Boating Holidays - and if Rock N Roll is the lucky name pulled from the barrel by Trevor and Maggie Joyce on Sunday afternoon at the regatta presentation, then there'll be some head scratching about how they might split it up amongst them.
'I think I need the holiday first!!!!!!' Kim joked.
'But, seriously, I would certainly work out an equitable solution. My crew have been with me for quite a while, and are the reason we have been successful with our racing' he said.
There are more prizes on offer each day of the regatta with Prize Partner Sail Solutions awarding and rewarding for things that have nothing to do with handicap scores or line honours.
Business owners (and sailors!) Greg and Sam Newton will be presenting pairs of Fendress Fender Covers and large discounts of Rolly Tasker sails as part of the social functions each night during the regatta.
From little things, big things grow, and Sail Port Stephens has a strong foundation partner group that is behind its success to date, including Business Port Stephens, an initiative of Port Stephens Council, All Seasons Salamander Shores, Peppers Anchorage, Shoal Bay Resort and Spa and Wests Nelson Bay Diggers.
SLAM has been with the event since its inception as the official clothing partner, and Port Stephens Coaches, and d'Albora Marina are invaluable support partners.
NSW Maritime are part of the family now as well, with a position as the regatta's Partner in Safety.
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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North Bondi, NSW
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