2013 Sail Townsville regatta headlines north-Queensland celebrations

by ProExposure Australia on 5 Mar 2013 From August 2013, the premier destination to be in Australia will be North Queensland and the ‘Sail Townsville’ festival.

Sail Townsville is a 10 day International Sailing Regatta and Festival and the first of its kind to feature on the QLD events calendar.

The festival will be a culmination of SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week, ‘Townsville Alive’ a mainland Community, Arts and Entertainment Festival and a Yachting QLD Multi-Class Regatta.

Working to deliver Sail Townsville are key players, Tourism and Events QLD, Yachting QLD, SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week committee and the Townsville City Council.

Townsville Mayor Cr Jenny Hill said the Sail Townsville festival was a coup for the city and would put the area on the map as an international yachting destination.

'It’s fantastic that we now have a major event that will showcase Townsville, all of the attractions in our city and the beautiful waters off our coast to visitors from around Australia and overseas,' Cr Hill said.

Yachting QLD President Ken Hurling believes Sail Townsville will provide a massive boost for sailing as a sport in one of the world’s most pristine environments for on-water competition.

'The impact Sail Townsville will have on the NQ sailing community is predicted to be nothing short of monumental' he said. 'To have a pinnacle championship event combined with mass promoted participation opportunities is unique and something not achievable without the support Sail Townsville aims to generate.'

SeaLink QLD General Manager Paul Victory believes Sail Townsville also adds an exciting new dimension to Magnetic Island Race Week.

'Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week, a partnership with Townsville Yacht Club, now in its seventh year, has grown every year to be well known as the 'North Queensland regatta'….. a relaxed and fun regatta at the end of the sailing season.'

Yachting QLD intends to ensure Sail Townsville and the region can deliver World Sailing events for Sail Townsville including Olympic class world and National Championships.

'The opportunity to have world class athletes rubbing shoulders with Townsville’s primary school aged children, in an activity all can participate in on the Strand is a major driving force behind myself and the Yachting Queensland Teams motivation' he said.

Mr. Victory also believes that the new format Sail Townsville will continue to assist businesses like SeaLink market the region as a premier Australian tourist destination.

'SeaLink is a national marine transport and tourism company, a destination marketing company spending $5m per annum on marketing Australian Tourism destinations. Townsville and Magnetic Island are a big part of this' he said.

Cr Jenny Hill knows the impact this major event will have for Townsville. 'The festival has enormous scope to grow and become a signature event for the city with the capacity to generate significant international tourism for the city and nearby region' she said.

'I’m delighted that the Townsville City Council is a partner in the festival with Sealink, Tourism Queensland, and Yachting Queensland and we’re looking forward to building one of the best events of its type in Australia.'

Sail Townsville will run in Townsville and Magnetic Island from 24th August to 3rd September. Information about the event can be initially sourced from Event Manager, ProExposure Australia, or via www.MagneticIslandRaceWeek.com.au and eventually, SailTownsville.com