Fremantle to Bali Race and Rally - Strong fleet for 2013

by Marina Valmadre on 12 Nov 2012 The Indonesia Fremantle to Bali Race and Rally is anticipating a strong racing fleet for 2013 as top international sailors have already signed up to participate in the Inaugural Rolly Tasker Memorial Trophy race.

The 1440 nautical mile Wonderful Indonesia Fremantle to Bali Race and Rally starting on May 4th 2013 has already seen more than sixty five boats sign up including a strong racing fleet - several of which will be vying for the Inaugural Rolly Tasker Memorial Trophy for Fastest Time.

Event organizers have been aiming at a fleet of 50 or more yachts for the run up to the Island of the Gods and are pleased with the surge in entries, which is growing weekly.

To allow time to prepare boats and crew and organize safety and other checks organizers are urging participants to register interest as soon as possible. Expressions of interest can be completed and lodged on line, with an information-rich website making it easy for boat owners to obtain information quickly, check details of the boats already entered and get answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

The Wonderful Indonesia Race and Rally will finish off Benoa, Bali with the race taking between six and a half days for the fastest boat to around 11 days for the smaller rally boats.

The start of the race and rally offers a beautiful sail north up the West Australian coastline with every mile taking sailors away from winter chills and into the tropical climates of WA’s northern regions and Indonesian neighbors.This is a welcome by Indonesia itself and by the Bali people in particular and while the arrival is the end of one section of the event it is just the beginning of the newly added Beyond Bali and Kimberley Odyssey cruise, an organized route with safe anchorages selected by experienced sailors.

Event chairman and Vice Commodore of Fremantle Sailing Club, Terry Baker said the biennial Race and Rally was attracting sailors from around Australia with a high quality race fleet taking shape.

'It is a unique sailing event with challenging and exhilarating racing. Adding to this, the Beyond Bali leg enables yachts to sail through the Indonesian Archipelago including the Komodo Island, home to the Komodo Dragons,' he said.

The enticing Beyond Bali itinerary has been designed by event committee member Ralph Newton and includes locations, stopovers, distances and a chart overlaid on Google Earth with photos of the many enchanting places for those taking part in Beyond Bali and the Kimberley Odyssey designed to bring boats home via the stunning Kimberley coastline. The itinerary can be viewed on the event website www.fremantlebali.com

Terry Baker said that for many people the experience of Beyond Bali will be life changing as they meet unique cultures and have access to the real Indonesia. For others the cruise home will offer the chance to simply enjoy being miles away from iPhones or to get up at 4am for the right reason.

Race or Rally? This is one of the great ‘no one loses’ opportunities. Race, and compete for the newly minted Rolly Tasker Memorial Trophy for Line Honours, named after a great yachtsman or join the Rally and cruise a comfortable 7 - 10 day sail in the gradually warming seas of the Indian Ocean. The arrival is celebrated with a gala closing party marked by fireworks, delicious Indonesian food, cultural entertainment and prize giving.

To assist boat owners, regular information nights are scheduled at Fremantle Sailing Club and cover topics including safety and compliance, equipment list, insurance, visas, navigation, YA Sea Survival Safety Course, ship registration, communications, Cruising Application for Indonesian Territory (CAIT) and navigation as well as the social agenda and Beyond Bali planning with dates posted on the event website. In addition experienced committee members are available for phone or email conversations as required.

With safety a key factor for the race and rally all boats competing in the event are equipped with a tracker to maintain a constant record of the current position of each yacht enabling friends at home to watch progress. Southerly II has been confirmed as the official support boat and will travel with the fleet as a relay boat for communications and complete the Beyond Bali leg

Western Australia’s only international yacht race first sailed in 1981 saw a 30 year record for fastest time of 6 days 15 hours and 30 minutes set by Rolly Tasker in Siska IV, a record held by the legendary yachtsman until it was smashed in 2011 by Alan Brierty’s 19.4 metre Reichel-Pugh designed yacht Limit with a time of six days and five hours, with Limit setting the record despite having to make a stopover in Geraldton to drop off an injured crew member. The 2011 event saw 23 boats take part, including 8 racers and 15 rally vessel.

With a race theme of Fair Breezes, Warm Friendships the Wonderful Indonesia Fremantle to Bali Race & Rally is not only a major sporting and leisure exercise but a powerful goodwill gesture between the people of Indonesia and Western Australia. Boat owners and sailors are urged to visit the website and to sign on for exciting racing and memorable cruising.

For further information about the race, hotels and other details or to sign up, visit the event website or contact Terry Baker on 0400 842 380 terry(@)fremantlebali.com.au.