International yacht race from Fremantle to Bali officially launched

by Janine Pittaway on 30 Nov 2010 Fremantle, Western Australia is celebrating the start of a new era of ‘big boat’ ocean racing in Western Australia with the official launch of the Visit Indonesia Fremantle to Bali 2011 event hosted by Fremantle Sailing Club.

Fremantle Sailing Club Vice Commodore, Kaye Riseley announced Visit Indonesia as the major event sponsor, through a five-event partnership with the Indonesian Government’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, starting in 2011.

'After months of planning, Fremantle Sailing Club is thrilled to be officially announcing the return of international ocean racing to Western Australia - after a gap of 14 years.

'In partnership with the Indonesian Government Ministry of Culture and Tourism we look forward to the Race becoming the premier offshore sailing event on the Western Australian sailing calendar and possibly even being known as the Sydney to Hobart of the West.'

'At 1440 nautical miles, the event is more than two-and-a-half times the distance of the Sydney to Hobart, so it will be a real challenge for competitors,' Vice Commodore Riseley said.

Representing the Indonesian Government, Consul General of the WA Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia Syarief Syamsuri expressed their enthusiasm and support for the event.

'We are pleased to be partnering with the Fremantle Yacht Club for the Fremantle to Bali 2011 Race and look forward to the opportunity of promoting our beautiful country to sailing enthusiasts and welcoming competitors to Bali.

'We believe the event will assist in promoting positive relationships between Australia and Indonesia through sporting links, and also through an event that truly symbolises a connection between our two nations,' he said.

2011 marks the 30th anniversary of the first Fremantle-Bali race. The event has not been held since 1997 and the Fremantle Sailing Club looks forward to bringing highly competitive international ‘big boat’ racing back to Perth.

Event Patron and Australian yachting legend Rolly Tasker competed in the first Fremantle to Bali race in 1981 and still holds the record time of six days, 15 hours and 39 minutes in his yacht Siska.

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettit said the event would be a great boost for the local economy.

'The Fremantle to Bali race represents great opportunity for Fremantle businesses and residents. We look forward to welcoming competitors and showing them the delights of our great port city,' said Mayor Pettit.

The Visit Indonesia Fremantle to Bali 2011 comprises an ocean rally commencing 23 April, an official yacht race from 26 April, and the two-day Visit Indonesia Festival on 25 and 26 April 2011. Depending on the weather, the fleet is expected to start crossing the finishing line at the Royal Bali Yacht club from 29 April 2011.

Event information is available from http://www.fsc.com.au or by emailing bali2011@fsc.com.au.


VISIT INDONESIA FREMANTLE - BALI 2011 FACT SHEET

· The Fremantle Sailing Club has entered into an arrangement with the Indonesian Government’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which sees the Fremantle to Bali event sponsored under the ‘Visit Indonesia’ brand for five consecutive events, commencing in 2011.

· The Fremantle to Bali 2011 comprises two individual events, both starting within Fremantle harbour: The Ocean Rally commences on 23 April 2011, and the International Yacht Race commences three days later at 12.00pm, 26 April.

· Depending upon weather conditions, the leading competitors are expected to cross the finishing line at Serangan Lagoon, home of the Royal Bali Yacht club, after approximately 6-7 days of intense racing.

· The Visit Indonesia Fremantle-Bali Yacht Race is a ‘Category 1’ event in terms of ISAF Rules of Racing, requiring that the level of safety and risk management to be the same standard as that applied to the management of the iconic Sydney - Hobart race.

· FSC hopes to attract up to 50 competing yachts, involving more than 500 crew and support personnel. Confirmed entries currently include all the top WA-based ocean racers, most of which have competed internationally, in the Rolex Sydney – Hobart, and in other similar high profile competitive events.

· The 2011 event is the 30th anniversary of the first Fremantle-Bali race, first held in 1981. The event was also run in 1986, 1988, 1990, 1993 & 1997.

· Rolly Tasker won the inaugural race in 6 days 15 hours 39 minutes. FSC is proud to have Rolly continuing his association with the event in 2011 as the Patron.

· The Fremantle to Bali Race is a 1440-nautical mile trans-ocean event, which the Club hopes will become the ‘Sydney to Hobart of the West’.

· Top IRC competitors already confirmed include:

o General Lee (Bakewell White 37)
o Aardvark (Archambault A40RC)
o Wild One (Inglis 47, veteran racer of numerous major international events)
o Charlotte (Marten 49)
o Sue Sea (Marten 49)
o Limit (Reichel Pugh 62)

· The Rally fleet will sail in a non-competitive ‘cruising in company’ format, making a one or two stops on the WA coastline before the open ocean crossing to Indonesian waters.

· A Visit Indonesia Festival for the public will be held 2 days before the race on the lawns of the Fremantle Sailing Club, celebrating the arts, culture and food of Indonesia.

· Award presentations will be held on 10 May at the Royal Bali Yacht Club, Serangan.

Event information is available from http://www.fsc.com.au or by emailing bali2011@fsc.com.au