The announcement was made this morning by Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen and Whitsunday Mayor Andrew Willcox at Abell Point Marina, which will host the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in January 2018.
The Whitsunday Clipper Race Carnival sees more than 700 amateur crew members and experienced skippers sail in a 40,000 nautical mile race around the globe.
When the 12 yachts pull into Abell Point Marina on January 13 they will attract more than 4000 visitors in total and injecting around $3 million into the local economy.
Tourism Whitsundays’ sales and marketing manager Tash Wheeler said hosting the Clipper fleet would further enhance the Whitsundays’ reputation as a world-class sailing venue.
“The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is a unique event that attracts worldwide publicity and we are extremely proud to have been chosen as an official host port,” she said.
“It will reinforce our standing as a world-class sailing destination and it also gives us the opportunity to promote the whole region and showcase how much beauty there is from the north to the south.”
Whitsundays Mayor Andrew Willcox welcomed the announcement and said hosting the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in the Whitsundays was a massive coup for the region.
“This support from the Federal Government will allow Airlie Beach to host the final Australian leg of the race and give skippers, international crews and supporters the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Whitsunday region,” he said.
“The Whitsundays Clipper Race Carnival will highlight the whole region with signature events such as a long lunch on iconic Whitehaven Beach, a rodeo on the coastal beaches of Bowen, a golf day in Proserpine and a large scale community welcome event.”
Source: cimmagazine.com
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