Weekend of the 29/30th July 2006

Right Consultancy was yet again in the thick of things sponsoring a Yacht in the Gibraltar Straits regatta, which was held on the 29th and 30th of July 2006.

Sorting out the crew was a major challenge as we wanted to invite some clients but had eager consultants itching to get a sail along the strait. Eventually, Jeff decided that it would be most beneficial to our future to put our consultants on the Yacht along with a skilled crew couple, with Julie working for our biggest client in Gibraltar PartyGaming. Julie's husband also joined our crew, which was just as well, because Stewart was the only one with any hint of skill on our Yacht other than Collin our skipper (who happens to own the Boat too and owns Straits Sail, so just as well for that…).

The Right Consultancy crew consisted of Deborah Kinlay, Julie and Stewart Burford, our skipper Collin, Jeff Bertrand, Gregory Weir, Tom Day and Simon Young. Now to be fair we did allow some guests during our Training and on the big sailing weekend. Our guests included Sian Wood, and Alexandra Rackham who backed Julie up regularly during our weeks training and the big event. Lovely ladies on Boats on hot summer's days are always a must…..!

Our client PartyGaming arranged a large spinnaker and Tom Day who joined us from PG worked closely with Keith Laidlaw to ensure that all the I's were dotted and all the T's were crossed.

We trained hard all week to get the best practice that we could before the big weekend, and just as well as both days (as always…) were wind and wave free. We did however, manage to exercise our elbows as we ensured there was ample food and drink on the boat for a glorious weekend.

For the whole week leading up to the Regatta we trained for several hours after work and then joined our co-sailors from PartyGaming for a little dinner feast at one of the Marina's wonderful restaurants for a snack or fully laden dinner - depending on the degree of exertion during the practice sail!!!!

The first day, or 'Round the Rock' sail was unfortunately a little void of wind so we got most of our exercise by running up and down the stairs on the Yacht to either fetch sandwiches or another drink. It's funny how the week leading up to the Regatta had winds of 'gale force' blowing, but at the actual event - nothing. The team building was phenomenal however, and we had a great sun baked day.

The Sunday provided a little more wind, and this time we only had to race up to the top of Europa point and back again. We had a lot more fun this time and got to exhibit some of those sailing skills we had learnt all week. Again we worked well as a team and eventually finished the race - not last I might add. We managed to beat PG to the top of Europa point, but unfortunately they got a better tack on the way back and beat us by a few seconds at the final mark - well quite a lot of seconds actually.

We all went and joined in the drinks and dinner after the Sunday sail and it was time to relax, network and reflect on a wonderful and exhilarating weeks sailing and team building.

Well done to all our team at Right Consultancy, both for their team building efforts and their professional efforts around looking after one of our biggest clients in Gibraltar - PG.

We'll see you again next year so watch this space………!!!