The Power of the Internet - Major Sailing Event launches on line

7:49 AM Fri 26 Jun 2009 GMT

'Quantum Racing - 2011 Around Australia Ocean Race and Rally for Cruisers' Andrea Francolini &copy

30 Hours ago West Australian Bob Williams launched the 2011 Around Australia Race and Rally with an online newsletter to Sail-World's Australian Sailing audience. Its not just a walk in the park, its a 7500 nautical mile race, a major time commitment.

This afternoon Williams was smiling broadly. He commented 'We are very pleased with the speed in which Event Slot Reservations are coming in from our online launch, for both the Race and Rally - about neck and neck in event preferences at this stage.

'We've hit 30 already, in just over 24 hours, that is a lot considering our limit of 100 participants for the Race and 200 participants for the Rally.

'It's very gratifying to see such interest in the event. It's plain that the event has such national and international appeal with Event Slot Reservations coming in from England, the USA, and New Zealand already.

'There are not many race or rally venues as attractive as sailing Around Australia. For many sailing around Australia is up there with sailing around Cape Horn only a bit easier and warmer.

'Having a plaque saying that you participated in '2011 Around Australia Race and Rally' mounted in your boat or elsewhere will be a nice thing to have.

'In 1988 there was a fleet race around Australia, the one and only so far, to commemorate Australia's bicentenary.

'That event was won by Sir Peter Blake on Steinlager One. Also in that event was Dr Gavin LeSuer and his partner now Mrs Catherine LeSuer sailing together on the 40 foot catamaran 'John West'.

'We are delighted to announce that Dr LeSuer has made his Slot Reservation for the 2011 Rally and after a 21 year gap waiting for the next event is going around again. Welcome Gavin.

'We now have the wonderful problem of managing a very major fleet race and rally around Australia. We intend it to be the best.

'Please keep the Slot Reservations coming. We are going to spread the news internationally now!!'

Sail-World is backing this event, as the online media partner and will be building the complete suite of online website facilities for the sailors and the online audience and the media.

This event has the potential to generate thousands of stories for television, radio, newspapers, magazines and the internet.

Bob Williams has used the power of the internet to find out what the sailing audience wanted. His 550 survey responses have allowed him to deliver an event format that has enormous appeal.

Well done mate!!! Have a glass of Western Australian Shiraz tonight and watch the reservations coming in!!

by The Sail-World Team