2017 Fremantle to Bali and Banyuwangi dates annnounced

by Leslie Valmadre on 30 Jun 2016 While retaining its traditional Fremantle to Bali role for racing and rally yachts, the event will offer greater attractions than ever with the inclusion of its extension to the Javanese port of Banyuwangi and an organised “Spice Islands Rally” taking yachts on a day-by-day circumnavigation of the island of Bali.

For those who wish to continue, the very popular “Beyond Bali Rally” will give sailors the opportunity to visit the magic of the Indonesian archipelago with stopovers in many of the tropical island bays including Komodo, returning home via Darwin or to the Kimberley coast.

The Java Sunrise Rally which will take the entire fleet from the race finishing point at Benoa to a brand new marina facility at Banyuwangi, is a one day sail over a distance of approximately sixty miles. The strait between Bali and Java is only a mile or so wide, so the two islands are within view of each other.

The effect of such a narrow gap between the two land masses is a strong, surging tidal stream. Currents running faster than the maximum speed of some of the yachts under sail will challenge skippers and navigators to work out their tactics to make best use of quick flowing water streams.

Event Chairman, Ralph Newton said that already some of the State’s top racing yachts have indicated their intention to compete, 'And with the promise of thrilling racing, exotic stopovers and the prospect of cruising through some of the world’s most attractive tropical regions, it hardly comes as a surprise'.

The Record Chase

The race record, set by the late Tony Mitchell’s chartered maxi yacht Supersled, is bound to be challenged. Although the presence of another super maxi in the 2017 race is most unlikely, Supersled completed the journey in just under six days in less than ideal wind conditions so it seems only a matter of time before favourable weather patterns will provide an opportunity for a new record.

History might show that the challenge is a little more daunting, since Rolly Tasker’s race record set by Siska in the inaugural race in 1981 stood for thirty years before finally being eclipsed by Alan Brierty’s Limit.

Exotic Stopovers for Rally

Much of the attraction of the event however, lies in the rally. The assumption that rally yachts are slow and will always provide the last boat to finish has been proven a myth, since rally yachts are free to use their engines when winds become too light, giving them the opportunity to surge past racing yachts which must complete the journey under sail power alone.

'This race has it all. With 1400 miles of sailing and variations of weather normally being a serious enough challenge for the yacht racer but in addition, for this event, there are really three races in one. The start in Fremantle and the coastal race to Nor West Cape, then the 700nm open ocean race to Bali and finally the very challenging light winds and strong tides that test even the best sailors as the boats approach the finish off Benoa. When you finish this race you can really claim the accolades due an ocean racing crew'.

Ludde Ingvall - Super Sled after their 2013 record breaking finish

With the inclusion of the new leg to Java’s Boom Beach on the Sunrise Coast at Banyuwangi and the opportunity to spend time away from the Bali tourism hot spots, there are more reasons than ever for yacht owners to head north next winter and given the level of interest within the yachting community already, a strong fleet is assured.

To learn more about the event visit the official website.