It was an especially enjoyable day today for the World ARC crews as they gathered for the 4th edition of the Bora Bora Dinghy Race, hosted by the MaiKai Marina & Yacht Club. Half the fleet already moored in Bora Bora entered teams into this fun and entertaining event which used a course around the mooring field of the yacht club. There was only one rule – No outboards – but anything else was acceptable to power around the course or alternatively impede the progress of an opponent.
The first boat across the line, nicknamed the Budgie, was crewed by the gentlemen from Glamorous Galah, who avoided a last minute sabotage attempt by a team from the MaiKai management and the pirates from Matilda. The first kayak (complete with fender outrigger) to complete the course was crewed by the family from Anastasia, just beating Ian and Fabian from GUNVOR. Anastasia were helped in the downwind legs by their very inventive ‘Pareosailor’ – a Tahitian version of the popular downwind sail. Amongst all the confusion, the team from Working on a Dream were the only ones to complete the course correctly, having sabotaged a number of other boats in the meantime. The most colourful team were from Zoe, dressed overall (themselves and the boat) with national flags and imitating Rally Control in yellow poloshirts.
Having clean up from the race the crews met together for evening drinks. Prizes were awarded for all the exertions of the afternoon and the crews thanked the management of the MaiKai Marina for a great stay so far at the Club.
Saturday is a day of preparation for the next sailing leg to Tonga until the Skippers Briefing in the afternoon. Group 1 of the fleet will then depart to Tonga via Suwarrow and Niue at midday on Sunday.