Newsletter 7, 9 February 2010 - Amendment to Notice of Race

Three amendments to the Notice of Race have been deemed necessary by the organisers. See the Race Documents section for updated documents.

Since going live the race website has attracted immense interest from a broad spectrum of people.

Robbie Dove has indicated that he will be entering a brand new Beneteau First 40. This boat is identical to the one which won the recent Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race.

David Munro has indicated that he will be entering his UK registered J133 which is currently in Richard's Bay. He will be bringing out three very experienced crew from the UK for the race and will be looking for additional crew here in SA. That's an exciting entry.

There has also been a serious enquiry from the Seychelles, while I am constantly being made aware of interest from many different quarters. This is shaping up to become another classic race. See the Entries page for updates.

Check out the Crew / Boats Wanted section of the site for people looking for crew or crew looking for boats.

The official race website is www.mauritiustodurban2010.co.za

The official website of the Mauritius to Durban yacht race in September this year has gone live, so have a look at it at:

www.mauritiustodurban2010.co.za

The following official race documents are available on the site for download:

Notice of Race
Entry Form
Safety Requirements

Plus, there are feature articles that appeared in SAILING and SA Yachting magazines for every race since its inception in 1895. These make fascinating reading as they not only cover the races in depth, but also bring back memories and mention the names of well-known yachties who may now have hung up their sea boots, while mentioning boats which could now be anywhere in the world and which were once household names.

Mauritius to Durban Race 2010 Race Documents

Notice of Race and Other Documents (including ammendments of 9 Feb 2010) 
Amendments to NOR (9 February 2010)
Entry Form
Safety Equipment Requirements

Confirmed Entries

Expressions of Interest

IT'S ALL SYSTEMS GO...

Yes, it is all systems go for the 2010 Mauritius to Durban race. This despite some negative comments on facebook and the like that the race will not happen.

Late last year I met with the Flag Officers of both the PYC and RNYC and explained that at that point I had not been able to secure a sponsor, but that the race should go on. They agreed wholeheartedly, have each committed working capital to the race, and are as adamant as I am to make the race a success.

Plus, I was in Mauritius in late December and spent an afternoon at the yacht club where the people I spoke to were very positive about the race and very keen to see it happen and to host the fleet. So, let's not dwell on the negatives, and let's get down to the real business of a yacht race.

Interest in the race is massive. I am continually amazed at how many people know about it and are keen to compete either as crew or in their own boats. That's positive and the first and most important ingredient in the recipe for a great race.

• The race will start on Saturday 4 September 2010.
• Prize-giving will be on Saturday 18 September 2010.

Sponsorship
Despite no overall sponsor yet the race will go ahead. There are people prepared to assist financially on a low-key basis, so whatever happens we will have a race. Without an overall event sponsor we may not have all the fanfare and ‘nice to have's' - but we will race - and that after all is what we are doing it for. My request to anyone who may have any sponsorship leads is to please contact me personally so that I may follow the lead through.

Visit to Mauritius
I was in Mauritius briefly at the end of December and met with Craig McKenzie who earlier in December launched his new Pacer 376 which he will be racing to Durban in September. I had a good meeting with GBYC. It is still such an amazing venue. The sun was shining, the water was a beautifully clear turquoise and there was wind. The view across the bay from GBYC was as good as ever. Those who have been to GBYC will know exactly what I am talking about, while those who have not will have to get to Mauritius in September to witness it for themselves.

My kids have heard me rave on about GBYC - and they were blown away by the venue and quickly realised that the ‘old fart' was not smoking his socks again! In fact, I reckon that GBYC is one of the best yacht clubs in the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean islands area!

Notice of Race
This is ready and will be on the RNYC website within a few days. Go to www.rnyc.org.za and follow the link to the Mauritius Race. This is until the dedicated race website comes on stream.

Safety Requirements
These are ready and will be on the RNYC website within a few days. Go to www.rnyc.org.za and follow the link to the Mauritius Race. This is also until the dedicated race website comes on stream.

Entry Form
This is ready and will be on the RNYC website within a few days. Go to www.rnyc.org.za and follow the link to the Mauritius Race. And this is until the dedicated race website comes on stream.