Queensland Yacht Charters appoints a world-class sailing professional

by Telltale Communications on 15 Nov 2013 Queensland Yacht Charters, the company fulfilling your dream to sail in the Whitsundays, has appointed another world-class sailing professional to head up its operations team in the Whitsundays.

Don Buckley, known as the 'Admiral' in the yachting world, has relocated from Sydney to take up the position of Operations Manager with the Whitsunday charter company. He will be working alongside the General Manager Christophe Vanek, an old sailing colleague, and another internationally experienced competitive sailor.

Mr Buckley has an impressive professional sailing career having sailed as part of Ian Murray’s 18ft skiff crew in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He went on to win five world championships, and crew on the America’s Cup Kookaburra Challenge in Fremantle in 1987.

Mr Vanek said, 'bringing someone with Don’s expertise and maturity into the Whitsunday bareboat business is an exciting development. We met when I was sailing with the USA team Courageous IV in Fremantle in 1987 and worked together in the 1990s. Don had a company in Sydney for 25 years which specialised in cruising yacht maintenance and rigging so when I heard he may be interested in working with us I snapped up the opportunity.'

'It will be extremely beneficial to have someone with Don’s experience, on and off the water, looking after the fleet for Queensland Yacht Charters. I believe with our combined knowledge we will be able to further enrich our customers’ yachting holidays in the Whitsundays. We will be able to provide plenty of invaluable tips, and of course, tell a few stories from our past!'

Mr Vanek, who grew up in a yachting family in France, has himself competed in many major international regattas including three America’s Cups, 10 Sydney to Hobart’s, five China Cups and many World Championships. Mr Vanek said, 'Europeans who come sailing in Australia think this is the best location in the world and the quality of service with Whitsunday bareboat companies is excellent. I think with Don’s addition to our team, it just got better!'

Queensland Yacht Charters, a division of Dream Yacht Charter, is the second largest yacht charter company in the world. QYC allows you to ‘live the dream’ by owning a boat, dreaming to charter a boat and cruise around the Whitsunday islands or dreaming to race at the top level. Queensland Yacht Charters prides itself on the quality of its fleet and the professional skill base of its Australian team. It maintains a fleet of 27 monohulls and catamarans for the ultimate Whitsundays sailing holiday. Go to Yacht Charters Website or call 1800 075 013 for more information.