Yachts arrive for Fiji Regatta Week By Rashneel Kumar, Fiji Times

Article posted Friday, September 14, 2012

Over 60 boats have been registered for the 29th Fiji Regatta Week, which starts at the Musket Cove Resort and Marina in the Mamanucas this evening (14).

Participants from New Zealand, United Kingdom, Australia, USA, Virgin Islands, Germany, Canada, Cayman Islands, South Africa, Brazil and Fiji are set to rock the week-long event.

Musket Cove Resort and Marina general manager and event co-ordinator Olivia Mavoa said the highest number of participants were from New Zealand.

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She said the stage was set for the event to begin with the official opening and the welcome cocktail party on the Coral Clay Point this evening.

“Around 25 yachts are returning participants, some returning over many years as the regatta continues to be supported and organised by Musket Cove Resort,” Mavoa said.

The competition starts tomorrow (15) with the Pirates Day Race to the Beachcomber Island for “Pirates Day” festivities.

A golf tournament will be held on Sunday (16) followed by the church service at midday.

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http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=211850

About Fiji Regatta Week

The event in which international yachts gather annually at the resort to race for fun was the creation of the late Dick Smith, one of Fiji’s tourism pioneers.

Internationally recognised as the mother of all the South Pacific yachting events, the Fiji Regatta Week attracts boats of all types and sizes from all around the world.

“It is a fun week that has been carefully crafted towards presenting a good mix with events for every one of all ages,” Musket Cove Island Resort and Marina general manager Olivia Mavoa said.

The Fiji Regatta Week started as the Musket Cove Race Week in 1980 with few days of laidback sailing events and onshore fun.

After four years, it preceded to the Port Vila Race, which was more of an ocean rally than a race.

Two years later, it blossomed into the Fiji Regatta Week.

The competitions to be held during this year’s event includes the Hobie Cat challenge, the Short-Course Yacht Race to the Sandbank sponsored each year by Gulf Harbour Marina from New Zealand, the Fiji Water Round Malolo Race, the Merlin Yacht Racing, an Absurd Olympics day, a golf tournament and a Swap Meet where yachties sell off some of their unwanted goods and equipment.

“Evening activities are fun-filled and there is a special theme for each evening with special prizes for each activity,” Mavoa said.

“All are welcome to participate during the week whether as a serious competitor or spectators and any one who wish to join in the fun. Entry to the Regatta is free,” she added.

Mavoa thanked the sponsors, participating yachts, the relevant government agencies and Tourism Fiji for their support in staging this event.

From Fuji Times, http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=211043