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13_Yachtsman 2015.qxp_Yachtsman Magazine 19/08/2015 4:32 pm Page 56
Activities
Club Marine Pittwater Sail Expo
By Stephen Collopy
The Club looking colourful in the overcast conditions
The 2015 Club Marine Pittwater Sail Expo held over Saturday March 21 and Sunday giving plenty of sailing tips to the keen RPAYC Members. Fletcher Walters, a young
March 22 hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Newport on the Sydney’s RPAYC sailor was ecstatic to meet James and now has a signed, framed America’s
Northern Beaches was a huge success.
Cup tee-shirt hanging on his wall.
Aside from the weather being a little dreary, it didn’t stop the visitors turning up in In summary, it was a great weekend enjoyed by all. Both exhibitors and visitors were
huge numbers to see the record number of exhibitors on show. With live music very happy with the vibrant and bustling atmosphere and the Staff and Members
playing and the smells of the chef cooked barbecue wafting through the air, the were very happy to show off their Club and it’s rich 148 year history.
marketplace atmosphere made for a great day for the whole family.
B and C arms of the marina were colourfully decorated with yachts and catamarans
open for tours including the famous Wild Oats X. Moving away from the marina,
the Clubhouse and the Club lawn were decked out with marquees filled with marine
products on display.
Many exhibitors brought their own unique products to the Expo and found it a great
opportunity to meet directly with their customers. Visitors were entertained with a
busy program of product demonstrations, free samples and competitions.
The Expo was complimented with the appearance of the 2X America’s Cup winner,
2014 Rolex World Sailor of the Year and RPAYC member, James Spithill who hosted
a question and answer session. James and his brother Tom and media coordinator,
Lisa Ratcliff took the stage in a packed Pittwater Room and opened up to the audience.
James was made very welcome by the crowd and with added comic relief and family
insights from his brother, Tom, James gave the audience a compelling insight into
racing the fastest sailing boats ever made. To his credit, James stayed back after the
presentation to greet and speak individually to the younger audience, as well as
Sail Expo special guest James Spithill with Suzanne Davies and from Club Marine Corey Yeung
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