10:51 AM Mon 29 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'
Sail Port Stephens Event Media
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With a few days to go until entries close for Sail Port Stephens 2010, the traditional last minute registrations are steadily flowing in, and organisers are expecting a modest increase in last year's fleet of 64 boats.
The word has got around the docks about the fun to be had in the cruisey start to the week with the Commodores Cup and the fleet boasts a forty percent jump from 22 boats in 2009 to 31 boats this year, many of them, returnees.
Greg Newton and his fun loving Antipodes crew will be back to enjoy it all, and as last year's recipients of the Spirit of Port Stephens Award - the Hicko Shield - this is 52 foot of Beneteau that knows how to have fun at a regatta.
Antipodes will join nine other Beneteaus of varying sizes in the Commodores Cup - and there could be some tunes played on the marina after racing each day, with John and Kim Clinton of country blues band 'Wolverines' fame, with their well-named Holy Cow! also taking part this year.
You can't miss their distinctive Cow patch headsail and when you get close to them on the water, crew mascot and character laden dog Shoni is likely to be seen wandering on deck, barking out orders !
In the absence of a fixed yacht club to gravitate to, the social fun roams to a different location each night, with the Commodores Welcome Party at Shoal Bay on Monday, a Movie under the stars, live music and dinner with friends at d'Albora on Tuesday night and the Fun Filled Prize Giving on Wednesday night at Salamander Shores.
This year has seen the splitting of the Port Stephens Trophy (PHS) into two divisions, with a larger percentage of the Commodores Cup fleet continuing into the Cruising class and a few deciding to step up the pace a little in the Performance Racing Division, which will feature 4 races, one of them a day incorporating some windward leeward courses.
A Super 30 division has also been introduced this year, and whilst it may have small beginnings in 2010, Principal Race Officer Denis Thompson is confident it will continue to grow.
'This Super 30 fleet is becoming more and more active, and Sail Port Stephens is a great environment and great regatta for them to include in their competitive schedule, particularly for the Sydney based boats, it's easy to get here, and easy to get home 'he said.
The SB3 Fleet will number up to around 16 boats and will be spectacular to watch as they fight it out for the National Championship - to be held at Sail Port Stephens for the next two years.
The Yachting NSW IRC Championship, currently with a fleet of 17 boats, will hotly contested as crews battle it out in six races over three days to be the next name on the Trophy, alongside Al Briety's Limit (2008) and Bob Steele's Quest in 2009.
Can you keep up with the social schedule?
. Monday 12 - A Welcome Party for the Commodores Cup fleet at Shoal Bay Resort and Spa
. Tuesday 13 - Free movie, discount dinner deals at d'Albora Marina
. Wednesday 14 - Commodores Cup prize giving at All Seasons Salamander Shores
. Thursday 15 - Long Lazy Lunch at Peppers Anchorage, the Wild Wilson Hunter Valley Tour
. Friday 16 - High Tea with delicious treats and cold bubbles at Peppers Anchorage AND in the evening the Tyrrells Wines Yachties Ball at Nelson Bay Diggers featuring Special Guest speaker America's Cup Winning BMW Oracle Coach Glenn Ashby and Special Guest MC Ian Cover from the ABC's Coodabeen Champions
. Saturday 17 - Gone Troppo Night, casual dinner and fun at All Seasons Salamander Shores
. Sunday 18 - Official presentation at Centre Court, d'Albora Marina
If you prefer to do your own thing, or mix in some organised social activities with your own, there is plenty to do at Port Stephens.
Tickets for all social functions are available on-line at the official website.
Accommodation options to suit all budgets and tastes
Going to regattas in Australia can be a costly exercise, but Sail Port Stephens caters to all tastes and budgets.
Accommodation varies from the luxurious Peppers Anchorage Resort to waterfront houses that can accommodate families, self-contained apartments for crews and places with a great Kids Club and day spa, making it a holiday for parents.
Full details and bookings at the official website.
Join the fun in 2010 - and you're in the running to win a trip for two with Mariner Boating Holidays to Croatia in 2011. An incredible sailing holiday valued at $15,000 will be drawn by Mariner Boating Holidays owners Trevor and Maggie Joyce on Sunday afternoon at presentation directly after the last race.
Every race your boat enters at Sail Port Stephens entitles the boat to an entry in the draw -
race six times, get six entries - and then the challenge of how to split it up amongst your crew begins.
Enter Sail Port Stephens before 5pm April 3 to avoid a late fee.
by Sail Port Stephens Media
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