Another
Sailing Coup For Western Australia
Fremantle
is to play host to another international yacht
race, Tourism Minister Bob Kucera announced today.
“Fremantle
will be the only Australian port for the 5-OCEANS
race in 2006-7,” Mr Kucera said.
“It
is an event which is known as sailing’s
ultimate challenge, so it will bring some of the
toughest and most exciting sailors in the world
to our backyard.
“This
comes hot on the heels of securing host port status
for the Clipper 2005 Round the World Yacht Race
and together the races reinforce Fremantle’s
return to international yachting prominence.
“Together
with the Clipper 2005 race, this successful 5-OCEANS
bid means that the Western Australian economy
stands to gain a $3.3million boost.
“International
bidding is incredibly competitive for such high
profile sailing events so we are really excited
to have been successful with our bids for both
races.
“As
with the Clipper Race, Fremantle will be the only
Australian stop for these 25 or so solo sailors,
which represents quite a coup for the State, and
for the Fremantle Sailing Club.
“The
visit will provide a valuable jobs boost in the
tourism and hospitality industries.”
The
fleet of up to 25 yachts will arrive at Fremantle
Sailing Club about December 2006 and January 2007
for a two to three-week stopover.
“Sailing
around the world solo is the toughest challenge
any professional sailor can set him/herself,”
Mr Kucera said.
“Fewer
people have achieved this feat than have climbed
Mount Everest - it is a truly inspirational event
to be involved in.”
Competitors
will sail in Open 60 and 50 class yachts, known
as the Formula One racing machines of the seas.
They
will start in September 2006 and undertake five
legs, crossing the North Atlantic, South Atlantic,
Indian, Southern and Pacific Oceans, during their
27,000-mile trek.
“The
field will be international, with entrants expected
from France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland,
Italy, the United States, New Zealand, Japan and
Canada as well as Australia,” the Minister
said.
“This
international flavour will ensure a high profile
around the world, and bring many visitors to WA
during the three-week stopover in January 2007.”
Eventscorp,
a division of the WA Tourism Commission, ran the
bid for both sailing events.
