In preparation for the President’s Cup Auckland to Denarau yacht race due to finish late this month, the Denarau Yacht Club has opened a clubhouse.
It’s on the top floor of the famous Cardo’s restaurant and bar complex, right on the marina at Port Denarau.
It has a large bar and lounge area and wide covered outside sundecks overlooking the marina complex with sweeping views of the Sleeping Giant, airport and out across the Nadi Bay to the Mamanucas.
This is an interim yacht clubhouse while the new facilities close to the entrance to the main marina complex are completed in early 2011.
Cardo will manage the facility and the grill will be open for both lunch and dinner. Snacks will be available at any time and a special breakfast menu is planned.
The club is open to everyone and will be the social centre of the President’s Cup Race, where crews and spectators can mingle and share experiences.
The club will be the venue for the President’s Cup presentation on May 30 where the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau will formally present the prizes for the race.
For the presentation night, entry will be limited and tickets will be on sale at the club prior to the event.
The club has WIFI internet connections and a big screen position tracker for the race reporting positions in real time.
Cardo has a long history with the Auckland to Denarau race.
During the first race in 1997 Cardo set up shop in a huge marque erected by the race organizers on the vacant land adjacent to the temporary berths in Mariners Reach, close to where the Port Denarau complex is now.
In the 1997 race, there were no houses anywhere on Denarau and only dirt roads leading to the port.
In subsequent races the old Cardo restaurant and bar served as the clubhouse.
Cardo’s support of the event has been a major factor in its success over the years as all the competitors look forward to the many social events that follow the race.
During May the Denarau Yacht Club will be the place to be in the West and the club welcomes all visitors. When the yachts arrive they will all be berthed on the new marina berths and will present a spectacular view from the club. Visitors are welcome to the marina for a close up inspection of some of the fastest ocean racing yachts in New Zealand.
SUN FIJI SPORTSDESK
Leave a Reply