ADVENTURE - Overview of the 2011 Around Australia Ocean Race and Rally

West Australian company, Ocean Events, has developed and launched two new world-class sailing events that it said are attracting entrants and support across Australia and overseas.

The 2011 Around Australia Ocean Race and the Around Australia Ocean Rally feature a multi-stop, anti-clockwise circumnavigation of Australia's coastline. The Race and Rally events were launched in late June and as at September 25, 2009, organisers said 164 yachts have taken up Race or Rally event Slot Reservation (Race 54, Rally 110).

The Race and Rally events will take place every two years.

Commenting on the popularity to date, Bob Williams, Ocean Events CEO said: “Australia is the only country in the world that has a continuous coastline you can freely sail around. From the tropical north to the rigours of the south it has a magnificent coastline. Rather than dreaming about it, sailors can now do it in an organised event.'

The Race and the Rally are two separate events with some similar features; both start in 2011 and will be together in Fremantle in October 2011.

If your yacht is eligible for the Rolex Sydney Hobart, Ocean Events said you will comply with the Race safety requirements (ISAF Category 1) plus all crew members (including exchange crew) will hold a current YA (or equivalent) Sea Safety and Survival Course certificate.

Ocean Events said the Race will take a yacht capable of averaging 130nm per 24 hours at sea around 110 days to complete the circumnavigation including stopovers.

While some in the long-distance Rally stay in warmer climes, on the Race’s 7500nm epic adventure yachts head into the Southern Ocean.

“Your Rally yacht must have safety provisions that comply with ISAF Category 1. As for the Race we require that all crew members (including exchange crew) hold a current YA (or equivalent) Sea Safety Survival certificate,” Ocean Events said.

The Rally program is based around the considered ‘prime times' to be circumnavigating Australia.

“There are many excellent Rally events that take place around the Australian coastline and where practical the Around Australia Ocean Rally will incorporate many of these excellent rallies,” said Ocean Events.

Organisers said the Rally is expected to take 12 months to circumnavigate Australia.

An important key feature for both the Race and the Rally is that participants can select where on the coastline of Australia they start in the Race or Rally and finish.