World’s Best Skippers in Perth to pursue Australia Cup Glory

[Source: Sunseeker Australia Cup] With a cohort of sailing greats arriving in Perth for the Sunseeker Australia Cup, Western Australia is again on the world sporting stage.

The ten world ranked skippers and their teams touchdown mid-week for this exclusive invitation only event from 26-29 November.

The action packed racing schedule will see the who’s who of professional sailing battle it out in Foundation 36 one design Yachts, marking the first time city waters has hosted competitive sailing in Perth’s 145 year history.

Swan River Sailing Executive Officer and former America’s Cup winner, Skip Lissiman said the four day event is sure to produce some exhilarating match racing, with unprecedented close shoreline viewing and a tight course sure to flaunt the skill and team work of these elite athletes.

“With the course so close to land and a tight challenging space you can be guaranteed some fast action-packed sailing. This is your chance to see the world’s best yacht racing right on the city’s doorstep, the opportunity to see a mini America’s Cup on Perth waters - don’t miss it!” Lissiman said.

The impressive line-up of world ranked competitors, featuring America’s Cup teams and skippers, consists of:

- Triple gold and silver Olympic medallist, Ben Ainslie from Great Britain, 6th ranked on the Tour

- Current World Match Racing Tour leader, New Zealand’s Adam Minoprio

- Perth’s own rising superstar, Torvar Mirsky, current 2nd ranked on the Tour

- Reigning double World Match Racing Tour champion, Ian Williams from Great Brittan, 3rd ranked on the Tour

- 4th ranked on the Tour, skipper Mathieu Richard from France.

- 25th ISAF ranked, skipper Phil Roberston from New Zealand

- 21st ISAF ranked, Keith Swinton from Australia

- 27th ISAF ranked, Francesco Bruni from Italy

- 61st ISAF ranked, Evan Walker from Australia

- 455th ISAF ranked, Seve Jarvin from Australia

Perth has built a reputation as one of the World’s more renowned and reliable sailing cities; and this unique event promises to cement Perth’s place a prestigious sailing hub of the Southern Hemisphere – a precursor to next year’s America’s Cup and Malaysia’s Monsoon Cup next month.

The Monsoon Cup is the ultimate decider of the 2009 Match Racing Tour, and with final positioning and considerable prize money at stake; top Tour skippers are keen to fine-tune crew skills and experience at the Sunseeker Australia Cup just one week prior to the showdown.

Sydney rising talent and current Australian Match Racing Champion Seve Jarvin said Perth is a popular sailing location for competitors as it boasts some of the best sailing conditions in the world.

“Perth is a great location for match racing as there is always a good breeze and warm weather, which is a pleasant change compared with many of the other events on the Tour,” Jarvin said.

“The Sunseeker Australia Cup is great for us young teams to get back into match racing and compete against some of the best teams in the world. The international teams treat the Sunseeker Australia Cup is as a warm up to the Monsoon Cup finals next month, so there will be some tough competition with teams trying their best to take out the first place,” he said.

Local Perth skipper Keith Swinton is looking forward to competing in his hometown, and believes it is the excellent quality boats, well-structured events and some of the best sailing conditions in the world year round which keep the top teams coming back.

“It is always a good experience to be a part of another regatta, particularly the Australia Cup where I can compete in front of family and friends,” Swinton said.

“Match Racing is definitely the most spectacular type of sailing, and when combined with great sailing conditions and facilities and the excellent Foundation 36 yachts, you can understand why such an event is appealing to the best skippers on the tour,” Swinton said.

For more information visit the event's website at www.australiacup.org.au