Mako Sunglasses Melges 24 a big contender for National Title

by Jody O'Brien on 11 Apr 2009 The current Australian Sports Boat Champ will be taking on all challengers at the Melges 24 Nationals @ Sail Port Stephens after Easter.

Mako Sunglasses, from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club at Pittwater in Sydney’s north, will be sailed by the Masters and Lyons Father & Son teams, along with a colourful yachting identify known as Big John, whose main job is to the keep them all in check.

On the water, the 15 year old sons will head up to where all good teenagers go...adventure-land.
Mat Masters and Alex Lyons are both very handy bowman and will sail hard on anything that goes quick, something the mighty Mako Sunglasses is certainly very adept at.

Alex’s dad, David Lyons, a well known Australian Yacht Designer and Mat’s dad Geoff (otherwise known as the cheque signers) will be down the back of the boat in fantasy land, in charge of the trimming and steering.

And Big John will be calling the shots on and off the water to keep everyone happy and fast...

Geoff says they’re all really looking forward to getting to Sail Port Stephens and contesting the National titles.

'The Melges 24 will be right at home at Port Stephens, and with our mix of gutsy youth and wise old hands, the Mako Sunglasses crew is looking forward to some great racing 'he said.

'We do most of our sailing out of Sydney Harbour and up at Pittwater where the boat is kept, so to get away to somewhere not too far from home that offers some quality sailing conditions and a great social atmosphere and program is great ' Geoff said.

The Mako Sunglasses crew are expecting some close competition and are excited about 3 days of going head to head with the top Melges sailors in the country.

Sail Port Stephens racing

20 – 22 April Commodores Cup
23 April Lay Day – Long Lazy Lunch Mischief at Peppers Anchorage
Special guest speaker Volvo Ocean Racer - Tom Braidwood

24- 26 April Melges 24 Nationals
Port Stephens Trophy – PHS
Yachting NSW IRC Championship
SB3’s

Since its inception, Sail Port Stephens has had invaluable resource support from Business Port Stephens, an initiative of Port Stephens Council, and the inaugural group of Foundation Partners in Nelson Bay Diggers, All Seasons Salamander Shores, Peppers Anchorage and Shoal Bay Resort and Spa have, even in tough economic times, all continued to believe in the long term vision for the regatta and what it brings to the region.

International sailing clothing brand, SLAM, continue their support as the Official Clothing supplier, and d’Albora Marina are a great partner with their on-site support and special deals for regatta participants.

Newcomers to the Supporting Partner group for 2009 include Wild Oats Wines as the Official Wine Partner of the Regatta and Tooheys New White Stag – full strength low carb beer, as the Official Beer of the event.
International Paints are also participating in Sail Port Stephens 2009, through sponsorship of a special daily award...more to be revealed at the regatta.

Be part of it all in a less than 2 week’s time, entries close at 5pm today ( Good Friday) – after which late entries will be taken at the discretion of the Race Committee....

Enter now at www.sailportstephens.com.au