Istanbul - Culmination of the Annual Aegean Rally

After the completion of the 2010 annual Aegean Rally Trevor and Maggie Joyce joined the press boat to cover the departure of the Historic Seas Regatta tall ships from Istanbul. The eight ships representing countries from the UK to Oman including the Netherlands, Russia Turkey, Germany and Poland, left Istanbul on Sunday 30th May to complete the next leg of their voyage which takes them cruising to the Greek port of Lavrion.

As with the Mariner Boating Holidays Aegean Rally the ships visited both Greece and Turkey as part of their voyage.

The MBH Aegean Rally this year included crews from four states with representatives from eight different sailing clubs. The winner of the Sandringham Yacht Club prize donated by Mariner, of a trip for two on the rally, Tug Tyson, shared his winnings with friends who joined him on board. Tug is a competitive sailor from Melbourne who would never have thought to participate in a fun event like this but the mixture of sailing, social interaction, history and fun came as a great surprise. He was effusive in his praise for the event.

The group of forty became just a little competitive as the rally progressed from Kusadasi via Samos, Arki, Patmos, and Kalymnos to Bodrum and along the Turkish coast to Marmaris. The final race in Marmaris Harbour was the decider and the winner was announced at the final night dinner. One of six dinners included in the program this was a great night of fun and entertainment.

The friendships forged on these rallies are enduring and the formula of sailing, a little competition, some culture, food, wine, history and social interaction is a winner.

Singles and non sailors welcome.

The event will be held again in May 2011.

Information from Mariner Boating Holidays www.marinerboating.com.au email infor@marinerboating.com.au Tel (02) 99661244 or (03) 9670 4030.

VIEW PHOTOS OF THE EVENT BELOW...