Travel professionals and media donned their sailing hats on Saturday to watch the 2016 Sydney Harbour Challenge from aboard the Majistic Sail courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines.
And it was nothing short of spectacular.
Treated to drinks and a delicious lunch onboard, guests were taken around Sydney Harbour for a full day of sailing as the 136 teams got ready to take part in the biggest six-person canoe race (25km) in the Southern Hemisphere, now in its third year.
Setting off from Campbell’s Cove jetty at the bright and early time of 9:30am on a Saturday morning, the Majistic Sail crossed the heads to Manly to pick up more passengers before docking for a sumptuous buffet lunch.
Pictured from left to right: Kerri Anderson, Country Hawaii Tourism Oceania; Maria Alaveras and Andrew Gee, Outrigger Resorts and Holly Ballard, Hawaii Tourism Oceania.
After lunch, it was time for the race to begin.
Hawaiian Airlines had their own all-employee team of outrigger canoe paddlers – Team Kokua – take part in the the endurance event.
Pictured from left to right are: Kealakaʻi Hussey (In-Flight), Mark Dayao (Training & Development), Mahoe Haia (In-Flight), Mario Mausio (Maintenance & Engineering), James Fowler (In-Flight), and Braden Piercy (Flight)
But it was the Aussies who came out on top:
Open Mens Race – Ist Pacifica Canoe Club, Coffs Harbour, NSW
Open Womens Race – Outrigger Australia, Currumbin Gold Coast, QLD
Open Mixed Race – Northern Beaches, NSW
Hawaii’s national carrier has made some pretty significant upgrades to its fleet lately, recently refurbishing its A330s to offer a new Business Class service from Australia. The upgrade was made to compete with increased competition on flights between Australia and the US.
Hawaiian Airlines Commercial team hosted guests from North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club at (Hawaiian sponsors the NBSC surf boats too!).
*Pictured from left are: Brett, Grant and Jason from North Bondi Surf Club with Hawaiian Airlines Gilllian Hayward, Tina Larson, Kim Chapman and Karen Macmillan.
