Racing Monohull (IRC) Division, Racing Multihull Division and the hugely popular Racing Cruising Monohull Division are complemented by Rally Division Yachts and Motor Vessels. Many yachts enter the event as an opportunity to process their travel documents to journey onwards to explore some of the amazing 17,000 islands of the Indonesian Archipelago.
The Darwin Race Week began with a Cocktail Party at the Darwin City Council to celebrate the long running Sister City Event with Ambon City, followed with Race Briefing and BBQ at DBCYA, including the NT Government Reception at Parliament House to celebrate and thank our major sponsors, and finished with a Wonderful Maluku Evening at the Indonesian Embassy with music, dance, food and friendships with our Indonesian Partners. Participants had many opportunities to meet, share their stories, build friendships and begin to plan their weeks ahead sailing through Indonesia.
The spinnaker start for the 2011 Race began off Stokes Hill Wharf on the 23 July at 1100hrs. The Official Start Boat was the HMAS Ararat providing the starting line, gun, flags and great vantage for the sponsors to send the fleet of 634nm, to the village of Amahusu in Ambon Harbour, with champagne.
The race leaders departing 
Darwin Harbour were Fantasia and Walk on the Wildside. Both yachts were eager to hold first position for the race and receive the enormous welcome by the locals with drums, flares, cheers, horns and gifts by the King of Amahusu. Winning Line Honours in Ambon for 2011 is Fantasia, Skipper Andrew Stransky. Read more about The Race 2011, and see the Yacht Tracker page that followed the fleet all the way to Ambon
This year’s competition attracted Australian Maid, Walk on the Wildside and Sue Sea who had just battled the Fremantle to Bali Race 2011. They challenged the local racing yachts for the Racing Monohull Record, set by Skipper Garth Curren in 1997, aboard Walk on the Wildside, of 68:57hrs. Walk on the Wildside defended her title winning Special Line Honours for Racing Monohull Division in a time of 64:05:22. This is a NEW RACE RECORD. Read more about the fleet under The Yachts or visit the Race Results 2011.
Gameset, Skipper John Mulkearns, winner 1996 Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race aboard Andromeda, returned to take out 1st on Handicap Racing Monohull (IRC) Division.
Fantasia, Skipper Andrew Stransky, won 1st on Handicap Racing Multihull Division as well as winning Line Honours – the comfortable live-aboard fleet was well represented.
Kind of Blue, Skipper Dick and Anita Waaij, won the 1st on Handicap Racing Cruising Monohull Division and represented the international fleet from the Netherlands. Kind of Blue has crossed 2 oceans, sailing 37,000nm and some regattas on the way.
Walk on the Wildside, Skipper garth Curren, also won 1st Yacht Over the Start Line, just beating his nearest competitios by seconds.
Raucous, Skipper Bob Coleman, won the DBCYA Commodore’s Trophy for the best dressed yacht.
Wicked, Skipper Dan Foley, won the Rally Trophy for his outstanding efforts to arrive in Ambon Harbour. You can read his story – Having a Wicked time in the Darwin-Ambon – one crew’s tale.
See the full Race Results or read more about the fleet under The Yachts to see who has sailed 14 Darwin to Ambon Races, won previous Line Honours, won Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race – Yachtsman of the Year awards, or those making their first sailing adventures to Indonesia.
Festivities and celebrations continued with The Ambon Race Week. The Darwin to Ambon yacht Race & Rally is proudly sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia together with the Ambon City Government. The people of Ambon City, and especially the Village of Amahusu, are very proud to share their culture and friendship with all the participants.
The Welcoming Ceremony began with a Becak Tour of Ambon City, awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd over the Finish Line, and the presentation of gifts to the three Primary Schools of Amahusu Village. Dancing, music, much laughter and good food followed where the participants mingled and shared their stories, their blow-outs and adventures.
The Mayor’s Reception & Gala Dinner for the participants was held at the beautiful and rich residence of the Mayor of Ambon City, and hosted by the Mayor of Ambon City, Bapak Papilaya. See some of the photos and read some of the stories that made the evening a great success.
The week finished with the Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race & Rally – Presentation Ceremony. Awards were presented, tributes were made and congratulations were given to all participants, supporters and partners.
The Presentation Ceremony was the final, official function for the race participants of 2011 – but, the adventures are just beginning. The Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race & Rally is being listed by many participants in “the bucket list of yacht races” – promises to return and wagers were set for next year’s race. But, in the meantime, friendships will take yachties to many neighbouring islands and other fantastic destinations throughout the Maluku Province and Indonesian Archipelago.
For all information, enquiries about the event or expressions of interest for 2012′s fabulous Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race & Rally contact: info@darwinambonrace.com.au or robyn@darwinambonrace.com.au
Start your planning NOW.
To all the skippers and crew, we would love to hear your stories, publish your blogs, photos and share your wonderful experiences with interested yachties and those planning to join the Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race & Rally 2012.
Send us an email: robyn@darwinambonrace.com.au
