The event is organised from Timor-Leste through the Ministry of Tourism and a cross sector Committee. The Timor-Leste Ministry of Tourism has generously supported the Rally by offering prize money of USD15,000. The NT Government provides support for the Rally and the Cruising Yacht Association of the NT (CYANT) provides technical support and advice to the Committee through funding received from the NT Government.
The 2014 event is the fifth Darwin Dili Yacht Rally of the modern era, having recommenced in 2010 after a 36 year hiatus following successful events in 1973 and 1974. In 2013, the 9 yachts are sailing in three divisions: Division I – Monohull Competitive Cruising, Division II – Monohull Cruising and Division IIA - Multihull Cruising.
Division I is headed up by Jon Wardill’s Australian Maid, which set a new Rally record in 2013 with an elapsed time of 52.12 hours. Other local monohull yachts in Division I includes Bob Colman’s Raucous and Barrie Morgan’s Evolution NT.
Division II comprises a diverse fleet of cruising yachts from Darwin, Brisbane and Launceston, ranging in size from 9 to 24 metres. Launceston-registered Skye Melody, owned by Graeme Hay, will be carrying over 120 boxes of donated medical and educational supplies to Dili for the humanitarian sailing vessel, Vega, for distribution to needy communities through Timor-Leste and Indonesia.
This year’s fleet also has the honour of having the Rally’s first-ever Timorese participant. Eleven year old, Tommy Lee Fawcett, will be sailing aboard the Skye Melody.
Once in Dili, the Rally yachts will be treated to a range of sightseeing tours and gala events, after which they are free to cruise through Timor-Leste’s pristine waters and enjoy world-class coral reefs and spectacular mountain scenery.
The 2014 Darwin Dili Yacht Rally will be started by Mr Joao Mendes Goncalves, Head of Mission and State Representative of the Office of Timor-Leste Prime Minister, the Timor-Leste’s Consul General, Mr Frank Felipe, the NT Chief Minister, Hon. Adam Giles and Ministry of Tourism Timor-Leste delegation officials and at 1000 hours on Saturday 12 July 2014 aboard the official start vessel Spirit of Darwin in the area to the west of the Darwin Sailing Club.
Media are welcome to cover the Rally and the Start. Media opportunities for coverage include:
- Loading of humanitarian supplies aboard the Skye Melody on Monday 7 July at the Frances Bay Mooring Basin (Duck Pond) Service wharf – the best time to obtain coverage would be around 11.00am.
- Aboard the official Start Boat, the Spirit of Darwin, which departs Cullen Bay Public Ferry Terminal at 9.00 am sharp on Saturday 12 July
- Interviews with Rally participants, organisers and previous participants.