The event was well supported with over 700 people, 8 spectator boats and 42 yachts participating with approximately over $300,000 raised for homeless young people.

We boarded Eagle Rock at King Street Wharf, which is a beautiful boat adoringly looked after by her crew.  Whilst we did practice drills before the race – all under the professional guidance of our skipper and crew, we enjoyed a luncheon with some drinks.

  Racing commenced at 1:40pm for Division 2 and the crew divided rapidly into those who we could call able-seamen and those who were more relaxed onlookers.

Our highly experienced crew were very thorough in their safety briefing and we set off full of confidence, that we would place well.  All we needed was our share of luck and some light to medium winds.  The winds were NOT light to medium.  The arduous journey to the heads and back took it’s toll on those of us at the front of boat, switching perilously across the bow as we tacked into the wind, losing two hats in the process into the angry sea.

The course for class 3 was a start off Point Piper which our experienced crew timed to perfection.  After a little while it was clear that the extensive supplies on board were slowing the vessel down so many members of the crew were re-allocated to disposing of the food and drink by whatever means necessary as we progressed up the harbour to Lady Bay, round Shark and Clark Islands, back to Nielsen Park then to the finish in Rushcutters Bay.

At some point along this route the race finished well ahead of us… leaving us to place 10th.  Two hours and 1 minute of great fun.

The after party at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is a great opportunity to connect with others in the race that include many of our clients both property and development, and to plan how to get over the line 1st next year !

Our thanks go to the crew of the Eagle Rock for an enjoyable, safe day on the harbour.

The N&B crew comprised of:

• Michael Ross, Stephen Cooke, Nic Mules – NB
• Joe Luca Donato – AXA Investment Managers
• Sarah Dempsey & Nick Gaston – Centuria
• Andrew Hatzids & Don Shipway – Busways
• Henry Davidson – LaSalle

This is a unique opportunity for client entertainment, business networking and relationship building, whilst also making a difference to desperate kids who are doing it tough, by raising money to build a home for homeless young people.

The event was well supported with over 1,400 people and 85 yachts participating with over $430,000 raised for homeless young people. A great result!

We raced on Eve, a Swan 65 ketch, identical to Sayula II, the winner of the first Whitbread round the world race in 1974.

We fed and watered our clients (crew) on the way to Middle Harbour Yacht Club and then commenced our practice drills before the race – all under the professional guidance of our skipper and crew.

The weather gods looked favourably on us with only 10 minutes of rain and a consistent 20-25 knot southerly breeze. This made for a quick race with conditions suiting Eve upwind, but downwind the lighter weight and more favourably handicapped yachts in the class made it impossible to save our time on handicap. Despite the slightly disappointing result the crew and guests all thoroughly enjoyed the day.

The after party on the beach is always a great opportunity to connect with others in the race that include many of our clients both property and development, and to plan how to get over the line 1st next year!

The N&B crew comprised of:

• Peter Osborn – NB
• Stephen Cooke – NB Jon Holdsworth – NB
• Ben Simmons – Marprop Real Estate Partners
• Eliot Reeves – Performance Based Consulting
• Grant Traub – Centennial Property Group Pty Ltd
• Jason Weate – Stockland
• Mark D’Arcy Bean – IOOF Holdings Ltd
• Richard Hughes – Cadogan Associates
• Sze Howell – Blackstone
• Tania Scenna – Centennial Property Group Pty Ltd

Just shows you how that collective opening of a cold beer and taking your eye off the ball can affect the outcome of the race.

This year we raced on a yacht called Pilgrim from East Coast Sailing and their skipper Paul and crew Christian were a fantastic combination on the day and got us so close on the day. Most of the other yachts will remember Paul barking (polite) instructions and suggestions to them as we were jostling for position.

This year Napier’s were represented by Alastair Walker, Simon Fox and Peter Osborn and were very ably assisted by Mark Durran from Jones Lang LaSalle, Tim Atkins from Titanium Property, Nigel Fraser from Lend Lease, Tony Martin and Anthony Kingsley from Anton Capital, Jean Marc Hakim from Alceon Partners, Tulio Maglione from Charter Hall and David Jones from Baker & McKenzie.

With a special mention to our two excellent helmsman, Mark and Tim, who got us so close to the cigars.

Our crew on the day represented the wide range of areas and disciplines that Napier & Blakeley act for including property owners and investors, developers, financiers, lawyers and agents who all utilise Napier & Blakeley services in their normal day to day property and development business.

Next year we will again support this great cause again and will try and pay attention for the whole race and
bring home first place.

If you want to join us next year, let us know and we will keep you posted.

Contact

Call Napier & Blakeley today if you want further information or regarding any other Napier & Blakeley services:

Transaction & Asset Advisory
Rob Howells – 03 9915 6300 – rhowells@napierblakeley.com
Alastair Walker – 02 9299 1899 – awalker@napierblakeley.com

Sustainable Property Solutions
Peter Frith – 03 9915 6300 – pfrith@napierblakeley.com

Development Advisory & Quantity Surveying
Craig Smith – 03 9915 6300 – csmith@napierblakeley.com
Peter Hammond – 02 9299 1899 – phammond@napierblakeley.com
Paul Cosker – 07 3221 8255 – pcosker@napierblakeley.com

Property Depreciation & Insurance
John Mathew – 03 9915 6300 – jmathew@napierblakeley.com
Paul Mazoletti – 07 3221 8255 – pmazoletti@napierblakeley.com