Oceanfast to build Maxi Yachts for Antarctica Cup

by John Roberson on 19 Jun 2002 World renowned superyacht builder Oceanfast, part of the Austal group of
companies, are to build the 25 metre maxi yachts that will contest the
world's richest yacht race, The Antarctica Cup, which starts in December
2004.

Austal is a Western Australian company, based just south of Fremantle, and
has a state-of-the-art boat building facility that is ideally suited to the
construction of up to fifteen of these Ron Holland designed maxi yachts in
the time-frame available.

Oceanfast have a worldwide reputation for building high quality luxury
super yachts, with a client list that includes golfer Greg Norman, and the
Sultan of Brunei.

The Antarctica Cup is a 14,500 nautical mile, non-stop, dash around the
bottom of the planet, starting and finishing in Fremantle, and with a total
of US$6.4 million in prize money.

John Rothwell, chairman of Austal Limited, is delighted that Oceanfast will
make such a positive contribution to this international event, and
commented.

'This innovative event will bring a very positive focus for Western
Australia, and although these spectacular yachts will not represent a new
product line for Oceanfast, we look forward to producing the yachts to the
very high standard typical of Oceanfast's world-class motor yachts'.

Fremantle businessman Bob Williams, who is the instigator and chairman of
the Antarctica Cup said that awarding the contract to Oceanfast was a major
step forward for the event.

'Having the boats built by Oceanfast, will give our competitors the
confidence they need to take on the infamous Southern Ocean, and push
themselves and their crews to the limits, in what promises to be one of the
most exciting sailing races ever, involving national teams in fully crewed
yachts.'

The Antarctica Cup has already attracted high quality entries from the
United States, Britain, the Netherlands and Australia, with further entries
expected soon from Brazil, Denmark, France, New Zealand and Ireland.

Since the 18th Century the Antarctic region has fascinated mankind and
inspired some of the world's most heroic exploration and sailing
adventures. The Antarctica Cup hopes to further enhance this fascination
whilst promoting the Port of Fremantle, Western Australia and Australia as
one of the world's premier host venues for international yacht racing.


For further information contact:

Austal:
John Rothwell, Chairman, Austal Limited
Tel: +61 (0)8 9410 1111, Fax: +61 (0)8 9410 2564
OR
Claire Stannard, Public Relations
Tel: +61 (0)8 9410 1111, Fax: +61 (0)8 9410 2564
Email: pubrel@austal.com
'http://www.austal.com'

Antarctica Cup International Maxi-Yacht Race:
Bob Williams
Chairman
Antarctica Cup P/L
Tel: +61 (0) 8 9336 7543, Fax +61 8 (0) 9336 7541
Mobile +61 (0)413 057 559
Email: mrbob@iinet.net.au

John Longley: +61 (0) 42 720 1649
John Roberson: +44 (0) 781 124 8223

Or visit our website: www.antarcticacup.com