Sail Port Stephens - Glenn Ashby adds a touch of sailing royalty

6:42 AM Sat 17 Apr 2010 GMT

'Sail Port Stephens 2010 - 16/04/10 - Sailors Ball' Andrea Francolini &copy

Last night Sail Port Stephens competitors were treated to a special treat at the Tyrrells Yachties Ball with 13-time world sailing champion and Australian Olympic silver medallist Glenn Ashby sharing with the audience his experience as coach of BMW Oracle's winning America's Cup syndicate.

Invited by Aussie helmsman James Spithill to join the 200 plus strong team because of his unparalleled multihull experience in the Tornado, A-Class and F18s, Ashby entertained the appreciative crowd as he recapped his unique experience during the 'Michael Parkinson style' chat with MC Ian Cover.

Sail Port Stephens 2010 - 16/04/10 - Sailors Ball - Andrea Francolini &copy

Ashby spoke about being at the pinnacle of fleet racing with his Olympic campaigns, then being privileged enough to reach the pinnacle of match racing - the America's Cup. He described Larry Ellison and Ernesto Bertarelli, the syndicate heads who had the giant multihulls built to compete in a single event, as "like two professors with their science experiments." That's literally how it was according to Ashby with the two multihulls unlikely to race again and BMW Oracle's giant wing being donated to science.

Today Ashby will lend his talents to Rob Hanna's TP52 Shogun which is already leading the Yachting NSW IRC Championship division one pointscore.

At last night's function Ocean Media launched its new Sails magazine, publisher Anthony Twibill and Editor Matthew Henry talking about the natural expansion of the CYCA's magazine Offshore Yachting to the new magazine, which will cover the full gamut from blue water racing to cruising to dinghies.

Sail Port Stephens 2010 - 16/04/10 - Sailors Ball - Andrea Francolini &copy

Trevor Joyce also spruiked the crowd as the day the fantastic Mariner Boating holiday to Croatia will be drawn looms. The prize will be drawn tomorrow as the curtain closes on the third annual Sail Port Stephens and those who have contested the entire week-long regatta are in with the most chances as each race entry scores an entry in the Croatia holiday prize barrel.

With the formalities complete, it was time to dance the night away - and they did in their chosen ball attire, long flowing dresses and heels blurring with jeans or shorts and crew shirts.

The regatta's heady social program wraps up tonight with the Go Troppo at All Seasons Salamander Shores party, with prizes for the best dressed and loads of fun for all ages.

For further information please visit: www.sailportstephens.com.au

by Lisa Ratcliff