Sheila McHale

Sheila McHale

Minister for Disability Services; Tourism; Culture and the Arts; Consumer Protection

    Clipper race re-start a great New Year's Day spectacle

    31/12/2007 10:00 AM
     
    31/12/07

    Tourism Minister Sheila McHale has urged people to head to Fremantle tomorrow to farewell entrants in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race.

    Ms McHale said the 10 international yachts competing in the event, including the Western Australian entrant westernaustralia2011.com, would sail along Fremantle Harbour near Victoria Quay from noon, with the official race re-start planned for 2pm.

    “It should be a great community spectacle and a wonderful way to spend New Year’s Day,” she said.

    “I hope as many people as possible join in the celebrations from midday and get behind our yacht, westernaustralia2011.com.

    “The best vantage points will be Victoria Quay, Rous Head, North Mole and along city beaches between Fremantle and Scarborough.”

    Spectators can also hear live commentary of the race re-start on 89.1FM.

    The Minister said the yacht’s 200-plus international crew, their families and friends had enjoyed a two-week stopover in Fremantle, spending Christmas in WA.

    The arduous 35,000 nautical mile race heads to Singapore and China tomorrow, before finally finishing in Liverpool in July 2008.

    “The race is a great economic boost for the State, with the last Fremantle Clipper stopover generating more than $1.5million in direct expenditure,” Ms McHale said.

    “WA’s yacht, westernaustralia2011.com, has also acted as a travelling advertisement for our tourism industry throughout the 10-month race.

    “The Carpenter Government is investing in our State’s tourism industry and enhancing WA’s unique lifestyle.

    The day’s program includes:

    1030 - 1130 Yachts depart Fremantle Sailing Club
    1215 Yachts form alongside tall boat Leeuwin II near the North Mole
    1230 Yachts motor past VIPs at Maritime Museum and along Victoria Quay
    1400 Race officially restarts outside of the harbour near North Mole
    1405 - 1430 Yachts race around marks inside harbour and along Victoria Quay
    1430 Yachts head outside harbour and north along coast to Scarborough
    1530 Yachts turn around Leeuwin II which is now anchored off Scarborough Beach and Observation City. They go around Leeuwin II and then the course heads south-west into the ocean
    1630 Last yacht clears Fairway Buoy (located half way to Rottnest Island) and heads north to Singapore.

    For the latest positions, news, videos and podcasts and for more information about the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race visit http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com

    Minister's office - 9213 6900