Sailors arrive for South Pacific Teams Sailing regatta Cook Islands

9:52 PM Sun 5 Jul 2009 GMT

'2008 Cook Island Team Sailing'

South Pacific Teams Sailing Regatta. Palm trees gently swaying in the balmy breezes, bikini clad sunbathers, a stunning vista of ocean and coral reefs with temperatures in the high twenties.

Forty four youth teams' sailors have answered the call and converged on the Rarotonga yacht club along with parent supporters and coaches for the annual South - Pacific Teams Sailing Regatta. The fleet comprises sailors from South Australia, Victoria, New Zealand and local teams from Rarotonga and Aitutaki.

Racing will be in a fleet of Sunburst yachts which event organizer Ross Sutherland has prepared for the week ahead.

Members of the Rarotonga Yacht Club have amply demonstrated their support for the regatta by making their boats available to the visiting sailors. An important part of the appeal of the event is that the sunbursts are supplied so the event has been made affordable and within reach of most sailors.

The regatta will commence today 7 July with a practice day for the sailors to familiarize themselves with the sunbursts while receiving teams racing tips from world class coaches who have generously volunteered their time. Round robin racing is due to start 8 July.

To view the sailing area and spectacular lagoon and coral reef follow the link below.

www.sailsrestaurant.co.ck/webcam/

by Chris Conroy