World Titles

BARBADOS UPDATE – AUGUST 2009

With the Worlds now only 9 months away and the boats leaving in 6 months, we need commitments from those planning on going.

At this stage the following have said they are in:

Ben Schulz & Phil Bowley

Nathan Stockley & Sam Muirhead

Heather McFarlane & Chris Payne

Robin Inns & Joel Coultas

Peter Inns & Ed Alder

Nick Gunner is still pretty keen but is trying to sort out crews etc.

If anyone else wants to go we need to know by the end of this month.

We are able to fit eight boats in the container. We are holding spots for the six above.

We have been approached by the Canadians who are interested in buying either new YMS boats or second hand boats in Australia and shipping them to Barbados. There is potentially the chance to reduce the shipping costs for the six by selling off the remaining two spots to them. We do not however want to do this if there are Aussies who would like to go and will utilise one of these spots.

– If you want a spot speak up right now!!!!!!

COSTINGS:

With the Aussie dollar getting stronger and the global price cutting going on, the cost for the trip is looking better each day.

At this stage we have revised the cost per person to:

Airfares from $2200.00

Travel Ins $ 250.00

Entry from $ 400.00

Accommodation from $ 450.00

Boat Transport approx $2700.00

Total $6000.00

The costs have been based on an exchange rate of 81 cents, 5 boats and no selling off of the remaining spots.

The cost will fall if any of the following occur:

· we have more than 5 boats,

· the aussie dollar gets stronger

· we sell off the remaining spots to the Canadians.

Note the price does not include spending money.

At this stage IFAA will coordinate the freight and the entry fees. Each sailor will need to pay into the IFAA account $3,100.00 to cover these costs.

The payment schedule is as follows:

· $1000.00 by 31 August 2009

· $1100.00 by 20 January 2010

· $1000.00 by 31 March 2010

We have left a large gap between the first and second payments as you will have to pay for flights and travel insurance in September / October.

AIRFARES:

Flights to the regatta from Australia start from $2,100. Travel agents are recommending looking for specials that will be released around September 2009.

Airfares from Sydney and Melbourne to LA look like being about $1250.00 return including taxes.

Airfares from LA to Barbados start from $621.00 including taxes.

Keep an eye on www.bestflights.com.au to find good deals.

It seems to be best to search for the flights separately rather than a flight from Sydney to Barbados.

TRAVEL INSURANCE:

IFAA’s insurance broker has negotiated a discount travel insurance rate of $250.00 so please let us know if you would like to take up this option.

ENTRY:

Entry to the regatta should be similar to other events so allow $800 - $900 per boat. Keep an eye on the event web site for an updates Notice of Race . www.fireball-worlds.com

BOAT TRANSPORT:

The container will be packed in Adelaide in the first week of February 2010 and will most likely be back in Australia for unpacking mid July.

The boats will be travelling under different paperwork to that used in the past, opening up the opportunity to have boats and parts going only one way. This means we can take boats over for the Canadians and bring other gear back if we want.

ACCOMMODATION:

Below are copies of emails I received from enquires I sent to all the places on the Barbados worlds web site.

At this stage I am planning to book myself into Just Home if there are rooms available otherwise it will be nautilus.

Accommodation will need to be booked very soon as there isn’t much low priced stuff available so if you would like me to book you in when I am booking mine let me know asap. Otherwise I will leave it up to you to fend for yourselves.

JUST HOME

Just Home is 3 minutes walk to the Barbados Yacht Club, 5-8 minutes bus or taxi ride to Bridgetown and 3 minutes walk to the beach. 3 Restaurants (Bajan, Chinese, Jamaican and Roti) are 1 to 3 minutes walk.
Just Home is basic no frills but clean and comfortable with 5 air conditioned rooms with hot and cold water. Expansion of 4 more rooms planned between now and next year. Presently there is no website, it is being built, as soon as it is completed i will email you.

Room with 1 double bed shared bath & kitchenette (1 or 2 persons) U$40 per night
Room with twin beds shared bath & kitchenette (1 or 2 persons) U$40 per night
Room with 1 double bed, own bath & patio, cable tv (1 or 2 persons) U$50 per night
Room with 1 double bed, own bath, kitchenette & patio, cable tv (1 or 2 persons) U$55 per night
One bedroom apartment (fold up single bed included) . (1 to 3 persons family or friends) U$65 per night

ISLAND INN

Single or Double occupancy US$225.00 per night
Extra person sharing the room additional US$100.00 per night
Rates are all-inclusive and Include Government Tax.
Children 3 years and under sharing with 2 adults are Free
Our rooms can accommodate a maximum of 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children 12 years old and under
The Island Inn Hotel is located approximately 5 minutes walk away from the Barbados Yacht Club
May we suggest you visit our website at www.islandinnbarbados.com for further information.

GRAND BARBADOS

We thank you for your interest in our hotel and we are happy to offer the following nightly rates which are inclusive of taxes no meals. We regret to advise that we are unable to provide photos of the hotel's rooms. Rooms have either a king bed or two double beds. All of our rooms have individual balconies, A/C unit, clock radios, telephone coffee makers, irons and boards.The hotel is located on the beach, we have a swimming pool, exercise room and a restaurant which is open daily from 7am to 11pm at night. The Yacht Club is next door to the hotel.

Single Room.........US$154.75EP

Double Room.........US$178.25EP

BAJAN BEACH COTTAGES

My places are booked already. Immediately next door to me is a small apartment type hotel whose rates are good and most importantly, is 150 yards away along the beach from The Yacht Club their site www.nautilusbeach.com next to the Club on the other side is a big hotel Grand Barbados and further along is The Barbados Hilton and in between them is a small "all inclusive" hotel called Island Inn. Your best bet to house your people would be Nautilus

NAUTILUS

Thank you for your interest in Nautilus Beach Apartments.

We can offer the following accommodation for the period you have requested.

Four Beachview apartments, double occupancy, at US$97.53 per night per apartment and US$115.15, triple occupancy.

Two Superior apartments , double occupancy,at US$121.03 per night per apartment and US$138.65, triple occupancy.

Two Beachfront apartments, double occupancy, at US$109.28 per night per

apartment and US$126.90, triple occupancy.

Two Small standard apartments, double occupancy only at US$91.65 per night per apartment .

Two studios, double occupancy only at US$85.78 per night per studio.

We are about two minutes walk away from the Yacht Club and you Can log on to www.nautilusbeach .com to see some pictures of our apartments.

The apartments are all one bedroom and accommodate three adults maximum.

They have fully contained kitchens, two single beds in the bedrooms and a pull out couch in the sitting room for an extra person except for the Studio and the Small Standard which accommodate two persons only.

There is cable television, the bedrooms are air-conditioned and have safes.

If you have any other questions please contact Ben Schulz on 0400 991 606 and he will try and answer them for you.