From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 2, June 2000.

Brian and Joan Hemburn, the organisers of the 2000 Island Cruising Rally, received a trophy and a certificate of recognition from Dr Masaso Paunga, Tonga’s Minister responsible for Tourism, during their Tongan stopover.

More than 100 international participants from 41 yachts gathered at Nuku’alofa’s Billfish Bar for the presentation of trophies and certificates by Dr Paunga, who invited  them to come back next year, and take part in the launching and sailing of Tonga’s great Millennium kalia.

Brian said that the 2000 rally was the biggest since he took over the organisation from Don Mundell five years ago. “I  realised that there would be no growth if I continued to market the rally only in New Zealand. I started looking abroad, and because there were so many foreign yachts in New Zealand for the Americas Cup and for the Millennium celebration, this year is the biggest ever with 41 yachts.” Brian said they were the kind of visitors that Tonga should attract. “They are the guys with the money. Not the guys who sail into port with a few dollars in their pockets and try to see how long they can stay in Tonga with the least amount of money spent.”

The rally continued on to Vava’u and then to Fiji.