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Olympic medalist Zach Railey will join vacation sailors on a flotilla with Sunsail Sailing Vacations in the British Virgin Islands on November 6 through 13, 2009. Railey, who won a silver medal in the Finn class at the 2008 Olympic Games in China, will assist the flotilla’s lead crew in presiding over activities, from short-course races to beach barbecues and morning briefings.
Sunsail recently announced a sponsorship agreement with Railey, a U.S. Sailing Team AlphaGraphics member who plans to qualify for the 2012 event in Great Britain. Sunsail’s sponsorship is expected to raise more than $40,000 in the first year toward Railey’s campaign costs, and the November flotilla will help fundraising efforts. Companies interested in sponsoring the event should contact Sunsail brand manager Josie Tucci (josiet@sunsail.com).
Flotillas provide bareboaters with group support and the freedom to choose destinations and pace. “There’s always plenty of free sailing time to explore alone if you wish,” Tucci says. “We’ll meet you at agreed destinations throughout the week for barbecues, cocktails, parties, racing, and other social events. Guests say these are the best aspects of our flotilla vacations.”
Sunsail continues its 35th-anniversary celebration in 2009 with 35 percent off B.V.I. charters aboard the Sunsail 39, 393, 423, and 43 monohulls by Beneteau. Find details about charter discounts and the flotilla at the company’s website (www.sunsail.com).
Phuket, Thailand, Is New Moorings Location
The Moorings has opened a new base providing bareboat sailing and power vacations and luxury crewed sailing and power vacations in the year-round destination of Phuket, Thailand.
The fleet includes the award-winning Moorings 4600 catamaran as well as the new generation of powercats: the Moorings 474PC and 372PC.
Phuket is ideally located off the Andaman Sea on the Malay Peninsula, providing immediate access to some of the most beautiful cruising grounds in the world. More than 50 islands and countless anchorages, including a national marine park, are set against the dramatic backdrop of towering limestone formations and caves. Snorkeling and diving opportunities abound among the numerous reefs and limestone islands.
“Our mission is to provide the best cruising grounds in the world to our customers, and this expansion into the Far East with our Thailand base underscores this commitment,” says Cheryl Powell, chief operating officer of The Moorings. According to Powell, the base is easily accessible via direct flights to Phuket from Singapore and Hong Kong or connecting flights from Bangkok.
The Moorings also offers the option of one-way charters from Phuket south to Langkawi, Malaysia, for an additional fee. This opens up a cruising ground extending 140 miles from Phuket and includes the 104 islands that make up the Langkawi group. Advance arrangements for this itinerary are mandatory.
For charter information, contact the company (800-535-7289, www.moorings.com). For yacht ownership, contact The Moorings’ brokerage division (888-952-8603, www.moorings.com/moorings-ownership).
Elaine Lembo
