Published 14 years ago, updated 6 years ago

As reported on Sail-World.com

The Around Australia Ocean Race and Rally event has received unprecedented interest from local and international yacht owners, crew and supporters, along with a groundswell of enthusiasm from potential event host around Australia – including yacht clubs, local councils, port authorities, tourism and development authorities and governments.

Like any major international sporting event involving the whole of a nation, the event requires many levels of state, national, private and public sector buy-in and support.

Despite exhaustive efforts and the depth of enthusiasm for the inaugural Rally event, it is with deep regret that Ocean Events advises the 165 Rally competitors, their crew and associated supporters who have registered to participate that we have run out of time to secure the logistical and sponsorship support necessary to stage the Rally event in 2011.

Whilst there is more time available for the inaugural Race preparations there is a need for a similar level of logistical and sponsorship support. We cannot guarantee our 97 Race competitors who have registered to participate that the support will be secured in time to stage the inaugural Race in 2011.

As a result:

• The 2011 Inaugural Race and Rally event will not proceed as planned.

• We will continue to review alternative strategies for running these events in the future. Updates will be provided on progress as appropriate.

• If you are willing to keep your interest to participate at a later time alive we will be very pleased to keep your details registered.

• If not slot reservation fees paid for the 2011 Race and Rally event will be refunded on written request.

For further information – please contact:

Bob Williams, Director, Ocean Events Pty. Ltd.

+61(0) 413 057 559 / bob@sailaroundaustralia.com.au

Ocean Events Pty Ltd, PO Box 31 North Fremantle WA 6159

This afternoon, a clearly disappointed Bob Williams said ‘Ocean Events conceived 2011 Around Australia Ocean Race & Rally with unique multiple starting point options. The event format was brought before the worldwide sailing community with unprecedented acceptance.

‘It is always our intention to deliver the best possible national sailing event.

‘Despite exhaustive efforts and with many working with us the magnitude of the work yet to finalise the event finances and logistics for this very large country will not be completed in time to stage the Race and Rally events in 2011. As a consequence, we made a very tough decision to delay the event to allow us more time to pull everything together.

‘We are extremely grateful for the words of understanding and encouragement we are receiving following our announcement.

‘Thank you to all of the slot reservation holders, clubs and interested parties all over the country and globe. Your enthusiasm will keep us working towards a new start time.

“We will keep issuing news as we progress.”