*The Gant Cup Sailing Races ended with a big show and awards ceremony at the Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay in Yaliçiftlik. The excitement of the races when the wind and the sea favor the competitors can be seen in the photo (inset) from the Kos-Turgutreis leg. It is important to note that while many events are organized in Bodrum each year, most are flash-in-the-pan efforts with no continuity, so this 8th Gant Cup deserves recognition for its perennial status and growth – about 50 boats with some 500 sailors took part! Those interested can (hopefully) find full details on www.gantcup.com  

**In the meantime, working to train future competitors for sailing races (maybe even for some future Olympic Games!) the new training period for Optimist and Laser dinghies starts on 1 August ’08 at the Yalikavak Municipality Sailing Club where all youngsters are welcome. For information call (+90) 0532-675-4926

***The two most recent visitors to Bodrum in the VIP/Celeb category were Chelsea Clinton and Calin Popescu-Tariceanu. Most will recognize Chelsea as the daughter of Bill & Hillary Clinton, but who is the second? The prime minister of Romania! As Chelsea and friends tried to avoid the media (for security reasons), the Romanian premier and his wife and children were also shepherded by a security detail, but he managed to steal some moments to play with dolphins in the Guvercinlik Dolphin Park. Chelsea sailed to Cos but will reportedly sail around Göcek soon.

MNG and Pina continue in the headlines with an Environmental Impact Report meeting held in an atmosphere of antagonism and distrust with environmentalists and local villagers demanding that the illegal landfill be removed first, before any further discussions. With everyone watching every step, MNG may have to capitulate… Güvercinlik’s sewage pumped into a pine forest from where it oozes to pollute the sea? That’s the complaint of local residents, among them Dr. Gabrielle Büchler, a 13-year resident who has reportedly brought this to the attention of authorities for 4 years with no result! Anybody listening out there??!!  To end this posting on a happier note: Gümüşlük Music Festival continues on 30 July, 1 & 3 August; also don’t miss the great dance ensemble “Anadolu Ateşi” (Anatolian Fire) on 2 August ’08 in the Bodrum Ancient Amphitheater.