With the official release in Australia of the Perth International Regatta Notice of Race (NOR) today, the arrival of 450 athletes, 350 boats and hundreds of team personnel from all over the world to Western Australia, took a giant leap forward!
Perth 2011 Event Director John Longley, who announced the release of the NOR, is excited about the Perth International Regatta.
“The Perth International Regatta – the main test event for the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships – is shaping up to be a spectacular event in itself,” Mr Longley explained.
“We have already had interest from 14 countries wishing to send teams to Perth and we are expecting about half the number of athletes and boats that will travel to Perth for the World Championships in 2011,” he said.
The Perth International Regatta will be held between 16-21 November, 2010.
“It will be the perfect practice run for international and Australian athletes vying for a place for their nation at the London 2012 Olympic Games Sailing Regatta and it will provide the opportunity for local sailors to experience top level international competition,” he said.
Mr Longley explained that the Perth International Regatta would also provide the dedicated Perth 2011 team with the opportunity to run through many facets of the World Championships, under competition conditions, prior to December 2011.
“We plan to establish as many elements as possible at the Perth International Regatta, including race management, the volunteers programme, mark laying, tracking and scoring, and certain parts of the onshore activities.“
Mr Longley said: “I would encourage all sailors who have an aim of securing one of the 380 places available in London (Olympic Games Sailing Regatta) to register for the Perth International Regatta this year. Athletes who compete in November will ‘get a feel’ for the weather conditions that are likely to ensue in December next year for the World Championships.”
Nine of the ten Olympic classes on the programme for next year’s main Event, will be on the schedule for the Perth International Regatta. This year’s regatta is open to the following equipment – Laser (M), Laser Radial (W), Finn, 470 (W), 470 (M), 49er, Star, RS:X 9.5m (M) and RS:X 8.5m (W).
Mr Longley encouraged athletes not to miss out on the early entry fee and to be aware that places are limited and on a first in basis.
The Perth International Regatta Notice of Race may be downloaded at – perth2011.com.
