Pas de Deux gaat dit jaar niet naar Rusland

"Onderstaand afschrift van een brief aan de Russische inklaringsagent
agent (Mr. Zhernovoy) en de commodore van de Sochi Yacht Club (Mr.
Alexeev), ontvangen van de Pas de Deux".

Dear Mr. Alexeev, Dear Mr. Zhernovoy

After careful considerations and deliberations with the crew, I have made
the decision not to come with my boat to Sochi. This is a disappointment
for us. However, after we had made most of out preparations for a
succesful landing in Sochi, there were  two major concerns left:

1. Knowing that there is a good facility available for a yacht to come
ashore, the authorities would not allow to use it. This would have forced
us to use the commercial harbour. We were not convinced that the
commercial port would be a safe place for our boat. And safety shall
always be a priority.

2. The harbour and mooring fees that were quoted for my boat to come to
the commercial port of Sochi are prohibitive. We are a crew of friends and
we are sailing for pleasure. We cannot afford the harbour charges of Sochi
Port officials.

We sincerely hope that it will be possible in the near future for other
foreign yachts to come to Sochi, on acceptable terms. We know from our
investigations that Sochi is a beautiful place and we are sorry to miss
it.

We shall thank you for all your advice and efforts, that have been a great
help and support for us.

Michiel C. Poulie
S/V Pas de Deux NED 4388
Captain