Med Red Rally from April 7 to May 2, 2006
Sailors from Turkey, USA, Canada, Germany, France, Holland, Sweden, South Africa, Great Britain Switzerland and Israel are gathering in April 2006 for the International Yacht Rally.
Dozens of yachts and their crews from all over the world will participate in Med Red Rally 2006, the largest international yacht rally of its kind.
The yachts set sail on April 7th 2006 in an event uniting hundreds of yachtsmen and –women from Turkey, the USA, France, Canada, Germany and Russia, Holland, UK and Israel.
The rally starts from Turkey, calls in at Israel and then sets course for Egypt.
Easy Swissa, Rally commodore: “The support and efforts of our Egyptian partners, and the enthusiasm of the participants, helped us decide to turn the Rally into an annual event, with the view to opening the sailing area between our countries to as many international yachtsmen as possible”.
The Med Red Rally offers sailors the opportunity to participate together with other seafarers from all over the world in a challenging adventure, which is unique. It’s a true expression of the concept of a ’sea without limits’. Only a sporting event of this magnitude can bring people together for a shared experience, which transcends national boundaries and cultures
After 3 days sail from Yacht Marine in Turkey to Tel-Aviv Marina in Israel, starting on April 07, sailors will enjoy a day trip to Jerusalem. The next day they will spend the “Passover Eve” Holiday with families of Israeli sailors before heading towards Port Said and the Suez Canal. From Suez city, the route will take them to Abu Tig Marina in ElGouna:
“The Red Sea has some of the most beautiful spots in the world” says Rally Coordinator Nirit Slaney, “So far it’s largely undiscovered by yachtsman due to the lack of mooring places, but the building of new marinas makes cruising here much easier and very inviting”.
Sailors can join shore trips along the way to Cairo and the Pyramids, Luxor and the Nile.
The rally participants will come back to Israel for the closing ceremony and final party, 03 May.
Med Race -14 April
The Med Race is a Professional Sailing Race under IRC Rules. The start is on April 14th from Herzlyia Marina, Israel and the finish line in Port Said, Egypt (138NM)
Sailors can join shore trips, return to Israel at leisure or continue sailing down the Suez Canal with the Med Red Rally route.
A word from the Rally Organizers
Easy Swissa- Rally Commodore
On March 4th 2005 we hoisted sail off Tel Aviv Marina and set course across the Mediterranean for Port Said. It was the first international yacht rally to transit the Suez Canal and over 500 sailors took part.
We ran into heavy weather south of Suez but the togetherness of fifty yachts, some with very experienced crews, helped things along and everyone arrived without too much difficulty in the Red Sea resort of Sharm-el-Sheikh.
For the yachtsmen who took part in the first Med Red Rally it was an unforgettable experience, still talked about within the sailing community.
Many yachtsmen and -women are reluctant to transit through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea after hearing adverse reports of bureaucracy and other hassles. But last year we showed how, by joining a properly organized rally, yachts can sail the area easily and safely.
The Med-Red Rally has already become a traditional event and will have new surprises every year from now on.
The 2006 Med-Red Rally will build on the success of the first and offer more options, more fun and a new route. I am proud to see so many yachts from diverse nationalities joining us in this very special and extraordinary experience.
Eitan Friedlander- Rally Organizer
Since the Kings Regatta in 1995, I have come to realize that the best way I can contribute to the common good in our part of the world is by doing what I love most - sailing. Sport bridges cultural and political divides, it is common language that opens up the path of communication between nations and people.
Med-Red 2006 will build on the success of the first rally. However, we are going all out to widen the participation and attract a much more international gathering of sailors.
In this way we hope to show yachtsmen from all over the potential of this wonderful area. So we are inviting participants to gather in Marmaris, Turkey (one of the biggest yachting centers in the eastern Mediterranean) before setting out together for Israel and Egypt. Yacht Marine is our Turkish partner for the event, and will also draw a farewell party to Rally participants on the evening of April 06.
Our aim for 2006 Med-Red Rally is to place more emphasis on the Mediterranean aspect of the Med-Red. We believe it is important to continue promoting the sport of sailing in our region.
2005 Med Red Rally sailors greeted the Rally with such excitement and enthusiasm that gave us the strength to go ahead and turn this Rally into a tradition.
