Plan for Freo ocean yacht race

After the success of the Fremantle to Bali yacht race a few weeks ago, sailing will again be on the agenda when the Ocean Race Around Australia hits the port city.

Created by North Fremantle company Ocean Events Pty Ltd, chairman Robert Williams said they developed the race so that Fremantle and WA could have ‘a major national and international event based here that can be staged every two years’.

The event, which Mr Williams hopes will begin in 2015 or 2016, will run from early July to early November and will encompass 10 ports around Australia with Fremantle as the home port.

Mr Williams said they expect 100 entrants in the inaugural event, which will result in around 1750 people associated with the event being in Fremantle for up to 10 days.

‘One hundred entrants would make it the biggest circumnavigation race on the planet,’ he said.

‘The estimated direct economic impact the event is expected to have on Fremantle is in excess of $3 million every two years and will showcase Fremantle to the world.

‘The event will reinstate Fremantle as a much-loved destination for international yachtsmen and women.’

City of Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt said it would be great if the event came to WA.

‘This event would build on Fremantle’s reputation as a great sailing destination and make it a destination for tourists and travellers from all over the world,’ he said.

‘I am very supportive of an event like this that builds on Fremantle’s natural assets as a world-class sailing destination.’