Oceanfast to build Maxi Yachts for Antarctica Cup
by John Roberson 18 Jun 2002 16:03 BST
World renowned superyacht builder Oceanfast, part of the Austal group of companies, are to build the 25 metre maxi yachts that will contest the world's richest yacht race, The Antarctica Cup, which starts in December 2004.
Austal is a Western Australian company, based just south of Fremantle, and has a state-of-the-art boat building facility that is ideally suited to the construction of up to fifteen of these Ron Holland designed maxi yachts in the time-frame available.
Oceanfast have a worldwide reputation for building high quality luxury super yachts, with a client list that includes golfer Greg Norman, and the Sultan of Brunei.
The Antarctica Cup is a 14,500 nautical mile, non-stop, dash around the bottom of the planet, starting and finishing in Fremantle, and with a total of US$6.4 million in prize money.
John Rothwell, chairman of Austal Limited, is delighted that Oceanfast will make such a positive contribution to this international event, and commented.
"This innovative event will bring a very positive focus for Western Australia, and although these spectacular yachts will not represent a new product line for Oceanfast, we look forward to producing the yachts to the very high standard typical of Oceanfast's world-class motor yachts".
Fremantle businessman Bob Williams, who is the instigator and chairman of the Antarctica Cup said that awarding the contract to Oceanfast was a major step forward for the event.
"Having the boats built by Oceanfast, will give our competitors the confidence they need to take on the infamous Southern Ocean, and push themselves and their crews to the limits, in what promises to be one of the most exciting sailing races ever, involving national teams in fully crewed yachts."
The Antarctica Cup has already attracted high quality entries from the United States, Britain, the Netherlands and Australia, with further entries expected soon from Brazil, Denmark, France, New Zealand and Ireland.
Since the 18th Century the Antarctic region has fascinated mankind and inspired some of the world's most heroic exploration and sailing adventures. The Antarctica Cup hopes to further enhance this fascination whilst promoting the Port of Fremantle, Western Australia and Australia as one of the world's premier host venues for international yacht racing.
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