News – 2015 Rally is a big success!


2015 Gibraltar-Morocco Yacht Rally is a huge success.
After month’s of planning as part of the committee, the 15th edition of the Gibraltar – Morocco Yacht Rally took place last Friday 12th June.
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The final tally of paid entries for this sociable yachting weekend was 43 boats which comprised of 27 sailing boats and 16 powered. On the day there were two non-starters and one return to shore after deciding against venturing any further in the freshening winds and choppy seas. As opposed to last year’s Rally when the race for Smir was somewhat hampered by calm winds, this year saw threatening skies greet the starting line and a freshening west to southwesterly wind. This provided some choppy seas in the Bay, not only for boats as they circled off the western Runway marker buoy – ready for the off – but also for the Port Authority boat carrying members of the media. Having seen some of the after photos, there were many a horizon that needed straightening!
The final number of boats pDSC_4674itching up at Marina Smir were 39, led by John Alcantara’s “Citadel”, which then embarked on a fantastic weekend of fun and camaraderie kicking off with the
sponsored “meet and greet” wine and nibbles on Friday evening. Saturday saw the customary free time given up to venturing out in search of the local Souk or relaxing on the nearby beach at Smir. This was followed Saturday evening by the fancy dress party which was briefly interrupted for the traditional prize giving, with all prizes generously donated by local Gibraltar Businesses. Having had a sneak preview of the photos it seems there was a very interesting mix of
participants this year, from a group of monks to mermaids!!
Last year was the first time the event had decided to take up a charitable cause, deciding on the Red Cross of Gibraltar and were able to hand over a sizeable donation of just over £2,000. This year the committee went all guns a blazing in an effort to smash last year’s total. By all accounts it looks like the 15th edition of the Rally has been a massive success, thanks to the hard work of the committee members and sponsors and an additional auction carried out this year for two
fabulous prizes. The final amount raised for charity, for the Gibraltar Red Cross, will be announced at the post-event party being held on Saturday 20th June at the Waterfront Restaurant, Queensway Quay – where a selection of event photographs from race day and Morocco will also be revealed and no doubt raise a few laughs. So if you’re curious at all about the Rally and about perhaps taking part next year – why not pitch up and learn all about it.
Or…if you’re thinking of sailing in the Mediterranean next summer and are interested in taking part, further information will be announced here soon on the date for the 2016 Rally, so watch out for details.