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)
EDITED BY INE
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