From the helm

It is all go here in Christchurch as we ramp up for the SailGP. It has been a huge learning experience for me being part of a team organising such a large scale event, and everyone here in the South Island is super excited to be seeing the F50's racing on Lyttelton Harbour! Something we have never experienced before. When the SailGP is all over, I am looking forward to heading up to Whangarei to wave off the Rally to Japan fleet, and it is also now only two months to go until the Pacific Rally departs as well!

My role as On Water Operations Manager for the event has been interesting and challenging. I am looking after all the volunteers on the water, training the course marshals, working with the on water police, & harbourmaster, sourcing boats for various roles, helping coorindate the Inspire youth coaching program, working out where people can and can't anchor to avoid snagging any of the underwater infrastructure, working out which VHF channels we can use, working out a plan for berthing all the boats, selling the on water flags, dealing with super yachts & charter boats and everything else in between

We've had amazing support from Christchurch NZ and the Christchurch City Council who have done an incredible job with preparing the site and helping with all the logistics and permits required

The SailGP ship arrived last week and the site build of grandstands, marquees, team bases etc is well underway.

Many of the South Island Rally boats are heading down to watch the racing and we ' ve got a party planned on the Peninsula this upcoming weekend prior to the event. They've also been invited to some events to get along to meet the teams as well. It will be heaps of fun.

If you missed out on tickets, the racing will also be broadcast live on Sky as well as Channel Three and on YouTube free to air.

We've got a few different groups on the Pacific Rally this time Some heading to French Polynesia, some to Tonga and some to Fiji. Some are joining later, and others are meeting us up there.

We've got an exclusive Lau Group entry planned for early July, and another one at Mystery Island for those wanting to spend some time exploring Vanuatu.

We are working with Down Under Rally on a Loyalty Island Rally as well in New Caledonia at the end of August

You are welcome to join us for the whole rally or just pick and choose from the various exclusive entries if you wish. It makes it heaps easier to explore some of these amazing destinations, without having to sail past to check in to the country first

Please get in touch ASAP if you'd like to join us as we are just in the process of finalising numbers and details - particularly for the Lau entry.

I've also been closely following the progress of the SSANZ Round North Island Race This tough two-handed marathon has just arrived in Waikawa overnight, and we ' ve got a number of Island Cruising Members participating. I wish them and all the other competitors all the very best for the third and final leg back to Auckland which is about to start in the next couple of days.

Anyway I hope you enjoy the newsletter this month. Thanks to all our awesome sponsors who have got some great deals this month too!