Iconic ECC photo: The fleet of 70 boats anchored in the Fisherman’s Bay in 2007
In April 2007 Turkey hosted the 14th Engineering Challenge Cup Regatta 2007. The regatta took place over the course of a week around the
Bay of Fethiye and was a resounding success. It brought together 500 engineers from across the world to compete, socialize and talk business.
They came from 20 countries, four continents and from all areas of the engineering industry. Each boat represented a different engineering
company. Foster Wheeler was the host company, being last year’s winners.
‘Adriatic Holidays’ (today High Point Yachting) was appointed by the new Commodore, John Hall Hall of Foster Wheeler, to assist in organizing
the event. The regatta was also being supported by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Turkish Offshore Racing Club, the Turkish Sailing
Federation as well as by the Gocek Municipality, Gocek Sailing Club.
Quote from the ECC Commodore, John Hall Hall:
“The ECC regatta was last held in Turkey eight years ago with just eight yachts and I was keen to go back there in 2007 with seventy yachts.
In July I received some excellent proposals to organise the event in Turkey, Croatia, Spain, Greece and Italy. I was delighted that Turkey was
the most attractive overall and selected Gocek as the location for ECC 2007. Everyone involved has been unanimously, overwhelmingly and
enthusiastically positive about the choice of Turkey.”
Sasha King, the Managing Director of Adriatic Holiday (today High Point Yachting) said:
“Adriatic Holidays has a long track record in the organisation and delivery of large sailing events, and organised the ECC regatta in Croatia in
2004 to great acclaim. The ECC regatta Gocek was the largest event I have organised to date; with 70 boats and over 450 sailors and it was a
huge success. We had great feedback, not only on the sailing but on the organisation and entertainment, and a number of participants said it
was the best one ever. I would like to give big thanks to the Commodore John Hall Hall who was such a great pleasure to work with, and also
to our local partners in Turkey and the participants who all contributed to making the event an incredible experience.”
WHAT DID PARTICIPANTS THINK?
Ashley Brydges, Boat 65:
‘What a great and wonderful week it was and I would like to thank you for all the organisation and effort you put in. I truly hope the ECC can join
with you in the next event where ever it might be. Can you also pass my best wishes to Mustafa as he was the best !!!
The mariner staff where wonderful and so helpful so again please let them know what a great job they did and are doing. All the Turkish people
where wonderful and so friendly and I for one will be back to their country for some more sailing.’
Allard de Vos Klootwijk, Boat 8:
‘It has most certainly been a memorable week. We (boat 8) all agree that the location was great, especially with regards to sun, wind, mooring
locations and chartered boats. On behalf of the crew of boat No.8 I herewith like to thank you very much for all the effort you have put into
making ECC-2007 a successful event. We sincerely hope to meet you again on the next ECC-2008.’
Gordon King, Boat 9:
‘Thank you for an extremely well organized event. Once again you have really put on a great event and to think that it was done in a foreign
country and with 70 boats – what can I say. I think you are just great!!!!!’
Ralf Braune, Boat 26:
‘Dear Sasha, it was really a fantastic weak. Great thanks to you and your team for all the arrangements.’
Martin Fordham, Boat 24:
‘Our team would like to thank you for your input to a superb event. Turkey is certainly a wonderful sailing area…’
Please check the link below for more information on the Engineering Challenge Cup (ECC) events and High Point YachtFest events:
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