Port Adelaide Enfield Council push to bring Ocean Globe Race to Port Adelaide

Billed as a “retro” yacht race, there is a push to bring the Ocean Globe Race to Port Adelaide and bring 30 boats and almost 3000 people to the area.

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The Port River could be awash with yachts if Port Adelaide Enfield council’s push to bring the Ocean Globe Race to SA in 2023 is successful.

Event organiser and owner Don McIntyre believes the Port is a perfect fit to host a race stop.

“I see it as a great opportunity not only for Port Adelaide, but also for South Australia,” he said.

Mr McIntyre said the inaugural “retro” yacht race was being run in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Whitbread Road the World Race.

He said there would be no computers, no satellites, no GPS and no hi-tech materials used, but instead old-school sailing tools like sextants.

The 2023 race will go for seven-months and feature 1973-1981 retro class and 1985-1997 classic challenge yachts.

The Port River could be awash with boats as part of the Ocean Globe Race 2023. Picture: Paula Thompson

Race participants will set sail in September 2023 in Europe, then travel to South Africa, Australia and South America, before heading back to Europe.

It is anticipated that about 30 yachts would arrive in the Port Adelaide Inner Harbour at the beginning of December 2023, to start a three-week festival that is expected to attract more than 350 crew members, plus more than 2500 family members from around the globe.

It is proposed that there would be a 21-day race village set up in the heart of the Inner Harbour, with two key weekend events hosted by the Port Adelaide Enfield council.

Council will approach the state government for support in its push to host the event.

Mayor Claire Boan said hosting the prestigious, international event would bring international attention to the inner Port and River.

“It will also attract interstate visitors to the area, which is a positive for our local economy,” she said.

“As we make our recovery post-COVID, the Ocean Globe Race is an ideal event to look forward to, for locals and visitors alike. Plans are already in place for a number of luxury hotel accommodation projects at Port Adelaide, so we have three years to prepare for a return to international travel.

Boom times in the Port could be boosted by a global yacht race. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“Although we have made no financial commitment at this stage, we have three years to work with the organisers and other stakeholders to put Port Adelaide on the international sailing map.

“It presents an ideal opportunity to showcase Port Adelaide to the world with a unique event, and lift the spirits of our local community, post COVID.”

Royal South Australian Yachy Squadron immediate past commodore Ken Case believes the race would be the perfect event to attract visitors back to SA, once COVID travel restrictions lift.

“I just see it as a fantastic opportunity, especially with it being in 2023, to get people to come back to SA after the COVID shutdowns,” he said.