Thursday, August 11, 2016

News Focus- INTERNATIONAL YACHTS READY TO PARTICIPATE IN DARWIN-AMBON RALLY by Fardah

Kategori: National News (NAT)
17:04 Kamis, 11 Agustus 2016

Jakarta, Aug 11 (Antara) - At least 22 yachts will set sail from Darwin Harbor, Australia, on August 13, as part of the 32nd annual Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race and Rally (DAYR) 2016.
  
To honor the participants, the Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia and City of Darwin will host an "Ambon Night" cultural event in Darwin on the evening of August 11. Indonesian delicacies will be served and traditional music as well as dances will be performed, particularly by artists from Ambon.
  
Ambon is located approximately 355¿ T from Darwin. Yachts usually enjoy fresh south-easterly winds until they enter the Ambon Harbor. The hills around Ambon can rein the breezes to a zephyr - a half a knot ebbing tide can then become a major obstacle to reaching the finishing line, according to information available on the official website of DAYR.
  
In Ambon, the capital of Maluku Province, the local authorities are gearing up to welcome the international sailors.
  
On arrival, all yachts are welcomed by the firing of a parachute flare. This also alerts the locals of the arrival of another vessel, and several residents head to the beach at Amahusa Village to watch and welcome the sailors.

  
"The first yacht is expected to arrive at the finish line on Amahusu Beach, Nusiwane, on Monday morning or afternoon (Aug. 15), depending on the wind conditions," Secretary of the Ambon city administration A.G.Latuheru remarked in Ambon recently.
  
Hendrik Sopacua, head of the Ambon tourism office, will attend the event as a representative of the Ambon City administration.
  
"The first yacht arriving at the finish line will be welcomed by Ambon Mayor Angku Papilaya and the locals along with various traditional attractions," Latuheru added.
  
When all participants arrive at Amahusu beach, the Ambon mayor will host a gala dinner for them. Sport programs have been scheduled by the local and Darwin organizers for the foreign sailors.
  
Besides, local residents will be invited to compete in friendship sports with the DAYR participants.
  
As the foreign sailors will be in Ambon on August 17, which is Indonesian Independence Day, they are encouraged to participate in the celebration.
  
"To show our respect for this day the Race Committee would like yachts try their best to dress their boats up in red and white. The Ambon Race Officer will select an appropriate judge for the competition," the DAYR organizing committee wrote on its official website (http://www.darwinambonrace.com.au).
  
The people of Ambon are acutely aware of the economic benefits that the race brings to their city. During a stay in Ambon, almost every conceivable commodity is available at bargain prices, according to the information.
  
The organizing committee has also been collecting donations for the local schools in Amahusu. There will likely be 1 x archive sized box for each yacht to transport.
  
On August 19, there will be trophies awarded to the winners and the Indonesian government will use the event for promotion of the 18th Asian Games, which will be held in Jakarta and Palembang (South Sumatra province) in 2018.
  
The presentation ceremony in Ambon is unforgettable. It is usually held around noon on the Saturday following race start. It is truly a gala event, and is normally attended by the Governor of Maluku, the Lord Mayor of Ambon and senior Government representatives from Jakarta and the Northern Territory of Australia, the Committee wrote.
  
The DAYR 2016 had been scheduled to take place in late August, but seeing that it could be windy in late August, it was moved ahead to mid-August.
  
Last year, 24 yachts took part in the race, a significant increase compared to only nine yachts participating in 2012.
  
The 600-mile downwind race had attracted just six yachts in 1976, its inaugural year. For months afterwards, conversation among returning sailors was dominated by stories of "champagne sailing," overwhelming hospitality, lovely friendly people, the scenic beauty, the cultural diversity, and the food - making the race and rally an annual event not to be missed.
  
In fact, In 1998, the race and rally were participated in by 100 yachts. Unfortunately, when it reached its glory in 1999 with up to 140 yachts from different countries intending to join the race, the event had to be canceled due to sectarian conflicts hitting Maluku at the time.
  
The event could not be held for the next eight years. In 2007, the race was revived after peace returned to Maluku, also known as the Spice Islands.
  
In 2011, the Maluku and Darwin authorities promoted the Darwin-Ambon International Yacht Race and Rally in ASEAN and other countries in the hope the annual event would thereby be able to regain its former glory.
  
The Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race and Rally is an event to explore some of the 17,000 amazing islands of the Indonesian Archipelago, under the umbrella of the Sister City Program between Ambon City and Darwin City.
  
The event is supported by the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ambon City Government, together with the Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association Incorporated, the Northern Territory Government and the Darwin City Council. ***1***

(f001/INE)

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