Health nutritionist Rebecca Fleming and dietitian Megan Hardy are on hand to help locals get fit.
Camera IconHealth nutritionist Rebecca Fleming and dietitian Megan Hardy are on hand to help locals get fit. Credit: Supplied/Matthew Poon

Competing sailors Bali-bound

Staff ReporterFremantle Gazette

The start date of May 4 was a significant one for Fremantle history, with the inner harbour at the Port of Fremantle officially opened on May 4, 1897 with the entry of 2063 tonne steamer SS Sultan.

The anniversary this year also had significance, with the first inclusion of a Super Maxi yacht in the race’s history.

The opening day for the race began with a parade of sail in the Fremantle Inner Harbour and an Indonesian food and cultural bazaar at the Fremantle Sailing Club before the competitors took to the water.

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Fremantle to Bali Race and Rally event chairman Terry Baker said this year’s competition had 33 competitors who would take about three months to complete the event.

‘The event is a classic blue water sail to Bali across 1450 nautical miles followed by a month sojourn through the Indonesian archipelago including the famous Komodo Island, across to Timor, before re-entering Australia for a leisurely cruise through the Kimberley,’ he said.

‘I hope it promotes sailing as a sport and the event also encourages people to explore dreams beyond their horizons and to realise their dreams of exploring remote and inaccessible places while discovering unique and different cultures.

‘Many participants will come back with a very different perspective of the world and experience personal growth, while others will reinforce their beliefs.’

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said it was an event that built on Fremantle’s sailing reputation.

‘This is an excellent event that does a great job of linking Fremantle to one of our most important neighbours in Indonesia and of course a favourite holiday destination for WA people,’ he said.