Winner of Travel Industry Yacht Regatta announced
The 2016 Travel Industry Yacht Regatta was held in what one sailing expert described as ‘the best sailing conditions since the competition began’.
With the now familiar format of breakfast and briefing at the Royal Southern Yacht Club, the crews assembled for the sixth running of the regatta and for the chance to win the coveted McKenzie Cup.
With a matched fleet of Beneteau F40’s manned by competitors from across UK travel the scene was set for some tight and exciting racing on the Solent.
Sponsors for the second year running were Bermuda, which, in 2017 will host the Americas Cup.
As in previous years, three short course races and two long-reach were used to determine the winner of the Travel Industry version and for the first time in its history the holders successfully defended the trophy.
Vertical Systems led by Dennis Gardner and Peter Healey eased to victory by some margin whilst the other competitors were left to consider Bermuda’s new ‘Learn to Sail’ schools launched in response to demand created by the Americas Cup.
Andy Facer (far left) and Bill Hanbury (far right) of Bermuda Tourism present Vertical Systems with the spoils of victory
Following the racing the now famous after-party took place in the Rhum pub – The King and Queen in Hamble-Le-Rice where the winning crew received medals, the McKenzie Cup plus Dark and Stormy Kits from Bermuda’s very own Goslings Rum.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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