Written By : Peter Lomas. Busy days are ahead at the Port Denarau Marina, Nadi, in the coming month.
New Zealand yacht racers are preparing to set course for Fiji.
Family and friends are getting ready to fly to Nadi to welcome them.
After a four year layoff the prestigious President’s Cup will again be the major trophy for a yacht race into Fiji.
The magnificent trophy, which was designed and made in Fiji, features a beautiful drua crafted in pewter mounted on a coconut wood base.
It is currently in pride of place at the Royal Suva Yacht Club, which organised the last race series for the cup.
It was won by Outrageous, a 40ft Fiji registered yacht skippered by Jan Partridge.
This year the cup will be awarded to the line honours winner of the Auckland to Port Denarau race organised by the Royal Akarana Yacht Club. It is supported by Denarau Yacht Club.
A fleet of over 20 yachts is expected including some of New Zealand’s fastest . The yacht club expects that the final entries will be well above the current estimate when entries close on Friday.
The race will start on 19 May when the Corinthian class leaves Auckland.
The cruising racers in this class are slower than the outright racing yachts and will take longer to complete the race. On 22 May the racing yachts leave Auckland.
One of these is expected to be the line honours winner, arriving some four days later if weather conditions are right.
On the evening of 30 May a prizegiving will be held at the Denarau Yacht Club. The major trophy will be presented by the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
# Source: Denarau Yacht Club.

Air Pacific, Fiji Water team up for ‘Paradise Promotion’

What do Fiji Water and Air Pacific have in common with You Tube?
Video enthusiasts and those who are tech savvy will be able to participate in a You Tube competition featuring two of Fiji’s iconic brands.
Although primarily targeting the North American market, the contest, which carries the tag ‘Two Tickets to Paradise’, is open to those living in other regions of the world.

Air Pacific’s General Manager Sales & Marketing Michael Nacola said: “As Fiji’s international airline, we are excited about this new promotion and have no doubt it will generate good awareness for both Fiji Water and Air Pacific’s brands and Fiji as an exotic tourist destination.
“Social media is a fantastic platform to capture consumer interest and is a channel we are keen to explore further with strategic partners like Fiji Water.

Paul Davies, Managing Director of FIJI Water, said:
“Natural Waters of Viti Limited (FIJI Water) is very pleased to be partnering with Air Pacific on this promotion. This is another way that FIJI Water can use its extensive network of distributors and global retail penetration to support tourism in Fiji. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”
In the competition, participants will submit a promotional video about Air Pacific and Fiji Water on You Tube.
The clip will be no more than 30 seconds in duration and it should feature both Fiji’s international airline and Fiji’s most famous bottled water.
“The top five videos will be selected before these are posted on the Face Book page of Fiji Water for voting by Face Book users,” explained Mr Nacola.
“The finalist that pulls the most points in the Face Book voting system will be the winner.”
The main prize will be two complimentary business class airfare tickets to any of Air Pacific’s main destinations of either Hong Kong, Sydney, Auckland or Nadi.
The runner up prize will be 2 economy class airfare tickets to these select destinations as well.
Mr Nacola said entries for the You Tube’s “Two Tickets to Paradise” promotion could be featured by both Air Pacific and Fiji Water in future online promotions.
# Source: Air Pacific Media.