Guest Book

Thanks from 5O5 World Champion Mike Holt

12 May 2015

The 60th 5O5 World Championships went a long way to showcasing Port Elizabeth, Algoa Bay and ABYC as a superb venue for World Championship events and the accolades are still coming in.

Most recently the 2015 World Champion, Mike Holt, sent ABYC a handwritten letter – which is displayed on the notice board:

To The Commodore & Members

I wanted to write to you all to thank you personally for your friendliness, helpfulness and all round great job in running the 5O5 Worlds.

Carl and I had a fantastic time both afloat and ashore and the YC’s part in that was huge. From the moment we arrived until we left we could not have been better looked after.

I know that all the sailors shared my views and also had a great time and will return to their homes with stories that will ensure that it will not be long until we return!

Thanks again

Mike Holt

On behalf of the Friendly City of Port Elizabeth and the Friendliest Yacht Club in the World may I say; “Thank You, Dankie, Enkosi and come back soon for a hug, Mike!”

Click Here to leave your message to ABYC.

Mike Holt the reigning 2014 World Champion in the SAP Sailors lounge after winning the pre worlds on Thursday 26 March 2015. Image: Glen Meyburgh

505

17 April 2015

Aaron from 505 arrived at ABYC on 22/03/2015 and has the following to say about the Algoa Bay Yacht Club, Port Elizabeth:

I competed in the 505 World Championship. The Algoa Bay Yacht Club was very friendly and accommodating. Every member and employee went above and beyond expectations to make our event a world class affair.

We also had dinner at the club at least 6 times. The food and service was excellent, and the prices were very reasonable compared with the other local restaurants.

One of my highlights from the 2 weeks was exchanging yacht club burgees with your Commodore. Picture attached. Rob Waterman from Alamitos Bay Yacht Club on the left, Aaron Ross from Santa Cruz Yacht Club on the right.

Regards

Aaron Ross
505

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Emma from GMR Marketing (SAP 505 team)

15 April 2015

Emma from GMR Marketing (SAP 505 team) arrived at ABYC on 20/03/2015 and has the following to say about the Algoa Bay Yacht Club, Port Elizabeth:

Everyone at the ABYC was so friendly and helpful during our stay at Port Elizabeth. The SAP 505 World Championship’s was a great success and a huge team effort. We couldn’t have activated such a successful event without the help of everyone involved from the ABYC. We had a fantastic time and PE really is the friendly city!

Thanks for everything,

SAP GMR Marketing Team – Emma is 3rd from the left

Regards

Emma Strachan
GMR Marketing (SAP 505 team)

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GMR Marketing (SAP 505 Team)

14 April 2015

Nick from GMR Marketing (SAP 505 Team) arrived at ABYC on 23/03/2015 and has the following to say about the Algoa Bay Yacht Club, Port Elizabeth:

The committee and members of ABYC welcomed us with open arms whilst we activated SAP’s sponsorship at the 505 World Championships. Everyone was so helpful and we were incredibly impressed by the can-do attitude. We had a fantastic time and the event was a great success.

Long live happy hour!

Thanks for having us.

All the best
Nick

The team taking a break — The SAP team taking a break

Regards

Nick Houchin
GMR Marketing (SAP 505 Team)

Click HERE to read more visitor comments.

ABYC can be proud

4 April 2015

A letter received from Mark Biagio:

Hi Guys

What a job, well done!

I thought I would give you my 2c from a distance on the event. I must say going into the event I was a little in the dark as to what would happen. With the passing of Glynnis, I was even more concerned. As the pre worlds event unfolded it was evident that all was falling into place.

So here are some bullet points:

SAP – wow that sponsorship was key! It looked like they rolled in, and brought the whole enchilada.
Tracking was good, better than previous worlds, less technical issues.
Live commentary was great! They could not talk better about the venue, people and the sailing! I bet this made many internationals grumpy that they missed out.
Live sailing feed from Thursday was perfect.
Photography was nice, from Favreau and others.
Facilities, there was no complaint on any forum or about the launching area, the busy port etc. So well done ABYC, maybe it would have been crazy with 100 boats – but hey!
Websites, we found a way for all the websites (SAP, ABYC and Ours) to live together which was interesting and I think worked. Thanks Alan for assisting us with ours.
SAP Daily video clips , were cool, maybe not as polished as other worlds but great none the less.

So I’m not sure how the rest worked out, measuring, catering etc. But from here I must say I could not help thinking “Damn this is really happening in SA and its working nicely, without SAP I don’t think we could have done it”. We’ve set the new standard for worlds in SA.

So enjoy the break, hopefully your families will take you back now. Well done and in my opinion it was better than previous worlds, because we had the SAP tech, great people and a great place to sail.

Oh, well sailed Funkes … and Richard your last race was epic! Now if you guys can just share the secret of why Holt is 1.5 knots faster than anyone else – I’d appreciate it.

Regards
Mark