News Feature - DARWIN-AMBON YACHT RACE SCHEDULED IN SEPTEMBER 2015 By Otniel Tamindael

Jakarta, June 8 (Antara) - The next international blue water Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race (DAYR) and Rally will be held on September 5, 2015, instead of its original schedule for August. Ambon Tourism Office Chief Henry Sopacua remarked that the DAYR 2015 was originally scheduled for August, but it was changed to September 5, so that the cool, dry season's breeze can fill the spinnakers of the yachts as they sail to Ambon. In the DAYR and Rally, the participants will leave from Darwin Harbor on September 5, 2015, to embark on a 600 nautical miles' journey north to the finish line at Amahusu beach in the village of Amahusu. The Ambon tourism office chief noted that some 34 yachts have registered to participate in the DAYR and Rally this year. "The organizing committee in Darwin, Australia, has registered at least 34 yachts for participation in the DAYR 2015, and we hope that the number will continue to increase," Sopacua stated in Ambon over the weekend. He also expressed optimism that the number of participants will increase, as registration is still open. According to Sopacua, the colorful sailing vessels will venture on their adventure from Darwin harbor in September and will attract large crowds to the harbor to witness the action and to enjoy the dry season's sunshine and the festive atmosphere. "The first yacht is expected to reach the finish line at Amahusu beach on September 8, and if there are no obstacles, all the yachts will arrive on September 9 or 10," Sopacua noted. He further explained that the DAYR has been a Darwin-Ambon sister city shared festival since 1976, in a bid to continually boost relations between the cities. Sopacua noted that numerous Ambon city officials will make a maiden flight from Saumlaki to Darwin on September 2 to flag off the yachts from Darwin on September 5, 2015. He affirmed that the DAYR is also supported by the Ministry of Tourism, the Ambon city government, and the Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association. A Darwin radio technician's chance visit to Ambon in the Spice Islands in 1976 offered the impetus to first launch the DAYR later that year. Months later, conversations among the returning yachters were dominated by stories of "champagne sailing," overwhelming hospitality, lovely friendly people, the scenic beauty, the cultural diversity, the food, and a bunch of adventure tales. Since then, international skippers started using Ambon as a starting point to visit some of the 17 thousand islands of the Indonesian archipelago. "Many participants from Australia have confirmed their readiness to take part in the race this year," Sopacua said, adding that the international DAYR and Rally offers long-term advantages to the people of Ambon and Maluku, in general. "Expected to help improve the welfare of the local people over the long term, the annual event will also boost tourism in Maluku province, particularly in the provincial capital of Ambon," he affirmed. In the meantime, Ambon city Mayor Richard Louhenapessy noted that the international yacht rally is part of the local government's efforts to promote the city as a world tourist destination. "The annual DAYR is inseparable from our efforts to make Ambon a world tourist destination," Richard noted. After the establishment of the Darwin-Ambon sister city cooperation agreement in 1976, the DAYR and Rally was organized by the Cruising Yacht Association of Northern Territory Incorporated (CYANT), later that year. Thereon, it became an annual event under the umbrella of the Sister City Program between Ambon and Darwin. The 600-mile race between the two cities attracted some 100 entrants during its glory days in the 1990s. The CYANT organized the event from 1976 to 1998, before it was suspended for safety and security reasons. The event resumed in 2006 and continued until 2014. Richard noted that the organizers of DAYR-2015 have ensured that the city of Ambon is now absolutely safe for tourists from around the world. "The registration of participants from numerous countries entering this international yacht race from Darwin to Ambon has proven that Maluku province, and particularly Ambon city, is perfectly safe for tourists to visit," Richard pointed out. He claimed that the presence of DAYR participants from Australia, New Zealand, and several other countries in Ambon further helped to promote tourism in Maluku. "Their presence will have a positive impact on tourism in Ambon in the future and will dispel the impression that Ambon is prone to violence," he remarked. The mayor expressed optimism that the number of participants in the DAYR in the years to come will increase significantly. After DAYR 2014, the participants spread the word among other sailors that Ambon should become a tourist destination for international sailors. "We have to maintain such conditions that will continue to attract foreign tourists not only to Ambon but also to other districts and towns in the province," the mayor of Ambon stated. Bearing this in mind, he called for support from the central and provincial governments and the global network of sailors to familiarize people with the international DAYR and make it even better in the coming years. Maluku Governor Said Assagaff stated that the attractive scenery of Amahusu village offered splendid sunset views for the sailors and yachters. He remarked that in preparation for the race, facilities for mooring and post-race events had been set up at the beautiful beach in Amahusu village. A 15-minute ride in a minibus from Ambon city center is all it takes to reach Amahusu beach to enjoy its crystal clear waters, and it is an ideal spot to indulge in bathing, swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Amahusu village is clean, and the local community welcomes tourists. At this coastal village, tourists can enjoy spectacular underwater panoramas, the pristine condition of the environment, and the unique local customs. Governor Assagaff expressed hope that the DAYR participants and spectators, upon returning to their respective countries, would promote the scenic village as a second-to-none tourist destination in Ambon.