BLUE CUP REGATTA GREECE 1 to 9 Nov 2008

Would you be interested in sailing a Beneteau yacht for a week in Greek waters for an estimated €800 including flights?

If so read on:-

This event is called the Blue Cup Regatta and is a series of passage races between islands with stop-overs at each island. Daily prize giving/receptions are at island tavernas and a final awards dinner at a luxury hotel. The Blue Cup is now in it’s 17^th year and attracts crews from all over Europe and sometimes beyond.

Having participated in the 2000, 2001 and 2002 events I can safely say that this is a superb event in a superb location. Some yachts treat the races very seriously, some are just out for fun and some aren’t even worried about racing but just tag along for the sailing and social events that this regatta generates.

The Yacht Charter Company is called Vernicos Yachts who are based at a large marina just outside Athens. They specialise in chartering yachts mainly from the Beneteau stable and the fleet for the Blue Cup Regatta is split into two classes, Class A for Cruiser Racers (First) and Class B for Cruiser type yachts (Oceanis). In the past I have crewed on First 42.7 cruiser racers that were well appointed with two heads, two showers, refrigerator, pressurised water and a well equipped galley.

Programme

Basically the plan would be to fly from Ireland to the UK (e.g. Luton) and transfer to a flight to Athens. On arrival there would be a bus ride from the airport to Alimos marina. Here we would join our vessel and after a Skipper’s briefing all attend a traditional Greek dinner at a local Taverna as guests of Vernicos Yachts.

The next day we would depart for our first destination which would not be racing but is designed as a shake-down passage so that the crew can get used to the boat, perhaps about 20NM.

The next day is the 1^st leg of the Blue Cup Regatta. Perhaps another 18 to 25 NM. That day’s race prize giving is held in the early evening followed by individual crews finding their own restaurant bar venues.

The next two days are as above and on the final 4^th leg the Grand Award Ceremony is held in the evening with a full dinner at a luxury hotel as part of the deal.

The next two days are spent free sailing and returning to Athens to check the vessel back in and depart for home.

Location/Date

The sea area is called the Argosaronic Gulf and the regatta is between 1^st and 9^th of November. In this part of the world this usually means shorts and tee shirts! Of course there may be the odd patch of rain or rough weather but this is usually very short lived. Usually blue skies and blue seas are the order of the day. Tides are almost non-existent in this part of the Med.

Boats/Equipment

None of the vessels are equipped with spinnakers. Some vessels have in-mast/in-boom main sail reefing/furling and all vessels have foresail roller reefing. Sailing is therefore very easy! As per standard bare boat charter vessels, all boats come equipped with life jackets, full navigational instruments including GPS, VHF radio, an inflatable tender and a small outboard motor. Basic pillows, sheets and blankets are issued to each crew. Nearly all the boats have some form of swim platform at the transom and ground tackle is winched up on an electric anchor winch. When berthed at marinas, town quays and harbours the usual practice is to moor stern to. i.e. with the stern toward the quay, stern lines to the quay and the bow kept out by the anchor. It is not unusual to have the whole fleet of 40 to 50 odd yachts moored in such a way side by side whilst visiting harbours. There are usually two cabins with 2 berths each (bunk style), 2 double berths at the stern and 2 berths in the main cabin converted from the dining seats.

Costs

The following is a rough estimate of costs per person and does not cover food and drink except where noted above (first day of arrival and last day of regatta). Food is very reasonable, especially on the islands (Bofin take note!) Prices are based on 2007 rates. On returning the boat to Athens there is a charge for the diesel fuel used when motoring during the week.

Based on chartering a Beneteau Cylades 43.3, 6 to 8 berths and assuming a crew of 6:

Boat cost for regatta week is €3200

Split 6 ways = €533.33.

Knock to Luton return with Ryan Air €47.78

Luton to Athens return with Easy Jet €200

Total per person = 781.11.

Add to this optional travel insurance, bus fares and food/drink.

There might be a requirement for a stopover at Luton if connecting flights don’t work out but until 2008 schedules are available from the airlines, it will be impossible to tell.

Food/Drink

Past experience suggests that one of the best ways to sort food costs is for all the boats crew to chip in a cash sum into a kitty. This is used to initially victual the boat at Athens. A trip to the local supermarket to get basics such as milk, bread, coffee, bottled water etc basically enough for a few day’s breakfasts and lunches including snacks. Nearly all ports of call will have small supermarkets, bakeries etc so keeping the on-board food stock fresh is no problem.

Evening meals are usually in tavernas, the best value ones are away from the tourist hot spots of the harbour front, further back in the local town. Menu cards at these establishments are usually only in Greek so the usual thing is that you are invited into the kitchen and shown what is cooking/available, just point! Prices were very cheap, in 2002 when I last visited the cheapest worked out at about €15 a head for a 4 course meal with house wine. The kitty is topped up as the need arises.

Greek food is fresh and carefully prepared/cooked. If you’ve never had Greek food then you’ll be in for a treat. Local Greek beer is of the lager type and is very good. Amstel and Guiness is also widely available. The Greek brandy called Metaxa is good and Ouzo is an aniseed flavoured clear spirit not unlike Pernot.

In 2002 there were 13 countries represented. In 2006 there were 10. It would be nice to have one boat represent Ireland, and who knows, a Clifden crew might even bring back some Greek silver!

If there is enough interest to form a viable crew then we would need to book the boat quite early to assure our place in the regatta. I will inform all interested people by way of a meeting if the project looks workable.

If you are interested or want more information then please contact Werner Cook. On 095 22968 or 087 6427167.