Long-time colleague David Toyer, these days the Australian editor of the New Zealand headquartered publication ‘Pacific Motor Yacht’, is certainly owed a cold beer by the offshore powerboat fraternity.

Writing in the May/June issue of Pacific Motor Yacht, Toyer, who has been known to enjoy a ride or seven aboard a quick boat, pointed out that the March staging of the Sydney Offshore Superboat Grand Prix attracted what was “by far the largest spectator fleet seen for a powerboat event in Australia.”

“It was almost like a major social gathering amongst the big boat owners, a must be seen at gathering,” Toyer wrote.

As he pointed out, the race attracted controversy from all points of the compass. Even a former Prime Minister felt he had to comment. Much of the controversy stemmed from the fact that the race required parts of the harbour to be closed.

Of course, as Toyer rightly pointed out, it was no surprise that the loudest objections to the race came from the sailing fraternity.

Reminding his audience that sailors dominate the harbour he commented “Their weekend races, which virtually take over much of the harbour right through summer, had to be cancelled or re scheduled and they were not pleased,” he wrote.

As Toyer pointed out, the race proved that Sydney Harbour is capable of hosting a round of the World Offshore championships without too much inconvenience to users.

“If the international event does go ahead next year, the worldwide interest it will generate for Sydney and for our harbour cannot be overlooked.”

Well said, David, very well said.

http://www.powerboat-world.com/Pacif...oats/44451/arc