A rally reborn, and open now: Darwin to Dili Rally
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Hopes yacht race will boost East Timor tourism
Sara Everingham
- X (formerly Twitter)
MARK COLVIN: A fleet of 17 yachts has begun arriving in East Timor after setting sail from Darwin on Saturday as part of the annual Darwin to Dili yacht race.
The organisers say this year's race is considered a major event in East Timor's celebrations of 10 years since independence.
East Timor's government has put up $15,000 in prize money.
There are hopes that the race will help boost East Timor's tourism industry.
Matthew Baker's on the Darwin to Dili race committee.
Sara Everingham asked him how the race began.
MATTHEW BAKER: The race began I think it was a few too many beers at the sailing club in Darwin.
They decided, back in 1973, to sail up to East Timor and make it a rally which is a gentle sail, more so than an actual race.
They did that and they sailed into Dili Harbour and had a fantastic time. Dili was a very popular holiday location for Darwin people back then.
So they sailed in and had a great time. Did it again in 1974. Once again enjoyed themselves and then unfortunately in 1975 the Indonesians entered East Timor and that pretty well put a stop to all sailing until back in 2010, when they re-established the race.
SARA EVERINGHAM: Is this a difficult race?
MATTHEW BAKER: It is a difficult race in terms of you have to be able to cope with very light winds and you have to be able to cope with very strong winds.
So you can't sort of set up for a strong wind path the whole way. What normally happens is we have a gentle breeze leading us out of Darwin Harbour. The minute we hit the open water between the Tiwi Islands and Timor Islands, you start picking up to 25 knots of wind, which is a lot for a boat.
But the minute you turn around in Jaco, which is the east low point of East Timor, the winds change again, because Timor being a very mountainous block of ground there aren't very many strategies but the wind is, you're sheltered on the sheltered side of the wind and you've got to try to work your way through light winds and a small current, which is trying to push you backwards. And quite often you go backwards.
SARA EVERINGHAM: You said before there was one yacht that's been going backwards for some time?
MATTHEW BAKER: Oh it's been going backwards for a few hours and that's Freedom Express. It obviously ran out of wind. It's a larger boat so it doesn't really like the light breezes but it only probably lost a couple of hour's worth of sailing.
And in last view, because we've got a tracker on that particular boat, we noticed she's chuffing off forward again and probably just opposite a place called Com at the moment, which is a beautiful little resort town on East Timor.
SARA EVERINGHAM: East Timor has been keen to promote its tourism industry. Do you think this event could help bring more tourists to East Timor?
MATTHEW BAKER: Well actually this event highlights the ease of being able to sail into East Timor and Dili particularly.
Dili's a very small harbour. There's a heap of wreckage in it and a lot of people sort of skip past and do the Indonesian islands. But now we've been able to build a secure mooring there, people will now, you'll find that will drag them into Dili, because there you can get your water, your fuel, food. It's a fantastic place to visit in itself and they know they've got a secure mooring for their boats. That's a big upside for the yachties.
SARA EVERINGHAM: On Sunday night there were incidents of unrest in some parts of East Timor, have the competitors in this competition, in this race, have they heard about that news?
MATTHEW BAKER: Yes, we've kept the competitors fully informed to what's going on because everyone knew that we were in the middle of an election process in East Timor.
And there's been a bit of a scuffle. It doesn't appear to have like extended itself after Sunday night and a little bit of rock throwing.
SARA EVERINGHAM: Has it worried any of the people in the competition?
MATTHEW BAKER: No I don't think it has worried anyone in the competition. There's been the odd little bit of conflict inside East Timor, you know since they've got control back and it's generally more reflected upon themselves than any of the tourists or anyone else come into the country.
They know to look after the people who are visiting because that's part of their economy.
They just occasionally get a little upset with themselves.
MARK COLVIN: Matthew Baker from the Darwin to Dili race committee speaking to Sara Everingham.
A fleet of 17 yachts has begun arriving in East Timor after setting sail from Darwin on Saturday as part of the annual Darwin to Dili yacht race. There are hopes the race will help boost East Timor's tourism industry and the competitors say they're not concerned about the recent post-election unrest in the country.
- Sara Everingham, Author
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2024 Darwin Dili Yacht Rally Cancelled
The 2024 Darwin Dili Yacht Rally has been formally cancelled.
Yachts are more than welcome to visit Timor-Leste independently of the Rally.
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- The first Australian yacht race to a foreign country
- The first overseas yacht race catering for multi and mono-hulls, and commencing in Australia and
- The first time that the people of Darwin and the people of Timor actively collaborated in a sporting event that was to result in friendly co-operation, good will and mutual respect.
The Darwin Dilly Yacht Rally has it roots in the Darwin Dili Races in 1973 and 1974. Read more about it here.
Fascinating articles, photos and other mementos of the 1973 race. Bob Lee skippered the yacht Nicolette. View the scrapbook
- How It All Began
- Darwin Dili
- Darwin Ambon
- Darwin Bali
- Sail Indonesia
- Sail Timor-Leste
- Hall of Fame
Darwin Ambon Trophies
Many magnificent trophies were donated to the race over the years by individuals and organisations in Darwin and Ambon.
Read more …
Overview 1976 - 1998
The cessation of the Darwin Dili Yacht Race led CYANT members in search of other sailing destinations. Spearheaded by Bill Jelley, the Darwin to Ambon International Yacht Race was founded in 1976.
Darwin Ambon 1998
Darwin ambon 1997, darwin ambon 1996, darwin ambon 1995, darwin ambon 1994, darwin ambon 1993, darwin ambon 1992, darwin ambon 1991, darwin ambon 1990, darwin ambon 1989, darwin ambon 1988, darwin ambon 1987.
The 1987 Darwin Ambon Race had 26 participants.
Darwin Ambon 1986
The 1986 Darwin Ambon Race had 26 participants.
Darwin Ambon 1985
Darwin ambon 1984, darwin ambon 1983.
The 1983 Darwin Ambon Race did not take place.
Darwin Ambon 1982
The 1982 Darwin Ambon Race had 15 participants.
Darwin Ambon 1981
The 1981 Darwin Ambon Race had 11 participants.
Darwin Ambon 1980
The 1980 Darwin Ambon Race had 13 participants.
Darwin Ambon 1979
The 1979 Darwin Ambon Race had 11 participants.
Darwin Ambon 1978
Darwin ambon 1977.
The 1977 Darwin Ambon Race had 7 participants.
Darwin Ambon 1976
The inaugural Darwin Ambon Race had 10 participants.
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The inaugural Darwin Dili Yacht Race left Darwin at 1100 hours on 18 August 1973 for the 425 nm voyage to Timor across the Timor Sea. Six competitors took 4-5 days to reach Dili, but they arrived well in time for the Presentation Night on 25 August, where the Governor of Portuguese Timor, Colonel Alrea Aldeia, presented magnificent trophies to all competitors.
The 2024 Darwin Dili Yacht Rally has been formally cancelled. Yachts are more than welcome to visit Timor-Leste independently of the Rally. We hope to be able to lock in dates for the 2025 Darwin Dili Yacht Rally as soon as soon as practicable and will let you know. If you have any queries please email us on [email protected].
Darwin Dili Yacht Rally, Darwin, Northern Territory. 2,656 likes · 1 talking about this · 8 were here. Facilitating visits by yachts to Timor-Leste including organising the annual 425 NM Yacht Rally...
A rally that was begun as an annual rally in 1973, found instant success for both international circumnavigators and local boats, then disappeared a couple of years later when political upheaval overtook the region, is about to be reborn. Timor Leste is about to reintroduce the Darwin to Dili Rally, to coincide with the flood of yachts that depart Darwin around July bound for South East Asia.
Entrants in the Sail Timor-Leste Darwin Dili Yacht Rally are able to enter the Sail Indonesia event, joining up with the Sail Indonesia fleet in Kupang in West Timor after departing Dili. For more information on this option including relevant conditions, contact Sail Indonesia on This email address is being protected from spambots.
'This year, the Cruising Yacht Association of the Northern Territory (CYANT), is going to write the Second Chapter of its history with Timor Leste. The course of the rally will take these yachts on a great 425 Nautical Mile adventure through the Timor Sea, passing Jaco Island to the finish line off the City of Dili, the capital of Timor Leste.
Darwin Dili Yacht Rally. 2,661 likes · 1 talking about this · 8 were here. Facilitating visits by yachts to Timor-Leste including organising the annual 425 NM Yacht Rally from Darwin Australia to Dili.
The Inaugural Darwin Dili Yacht Race left Darwin at 1100 hours on 18 August 1973 for the 425 nm voyage to Timor across the Timor Sea. 6 competitors took 4-5 days to reach Dili, but they arrived well in time for the Presentation Night on 25 August, where the Governor of Portuguese Timor, Colonel Alrea Aldeia presented magnificent trophies to all ...
Facilitating visits by yachts to Timor-Leste including organising the annual 425 NM Yacht Rally... Darwin, NT, Australia
The Inaugural Darwin Dili Yacht Race left Darwin at 1100 hours on 18 August 1973 for the 425 nm voyage to Timor across the Timor Sea. 6 competitors took 4-5 days to reach Dili, but they arrived well in time for the Presentation Night on 25 August, where the Governor of Portuguese Timor, Colonel Alrea Aldeia presented magnificent trophies to all ...
The first international offshore ocean yacht race organised from Australia was the Darwin to Dili Race. At that time, Dili was the capital of Portuguese (East) Timor, a Portuguese colony. ... Darwin to Dili: Year: Monohull: Multihull: 1973: Rebel King: Nicolette: 1974: Gipsey II: Whimbrall : Race Record: Kingo 91.37 hours . Previous article ...
The yacht Even Karma is leading competitors in the Darwin-to-Dili Yacht Rally, which left Darwin on Saturday morning. It is the first time the 425 nautical mile race has been run in 36 years after ...
1.4 Yachts may enter the 20 20Darwin Dili Yacht Rally also join the and 2020 Sail Indonesia Rally (refer 22.1). 1.5 Yachts may also enter the Rally from ports other than Darwin (refer 23). 2. Rules 2.1 The Darwin Dili Yacht Rally will be conducted and sailed under the International Regulations for the
In 1970 the Cruising Yacht Association of the NT was formed with the aim of promoting cruising races. The Club hosted the inaugural Darwin to Dili Yacht race in 1973 with six starters. The race had to be cancelled in 1975 due to political strife in East Timor and the Darwin to Ambon race was first held the following year.
A fleet of 17 yachts has begun arriving in East Timor after setting sail from Darwin on Saturday as part of the annual Darwin to Dili yacht race. There are hopes the race will help boost East ...
The Darwin Dili Yacht Race ran again in 1974 with a total of 24 yachts participating. Unfortunately the Indonesian incorporation of East Timor in 1975 caused subsequent events to be cancelled. But it meant that CYANT had 'got the taste' for international yachting events and the search was on for an alternative venue, which was later to ...
Documentary of the 2010 yacht rally from Darwin, Australia to Dili in Timor-Leste produced by the Ministerio Do Turismo Commercio E Industria. Languages Port...
The Darwin to Dili rally departed on Saturday (9th July) with participants setting sail in brisk south-easterly conditions. The Darwin-based 15 metre yacht 'Parlay',one of the largest in the rally and skippered by Ray Jones, was the quickest away, followed closely by the other boats. It was started by the Hon. Gil Alves, Timor-Leste Minister for Industry Commerce and Tourism.
Longstanding involvement in international yachting events in the surrounding regions - particularly Indonesia, features strongly in CYANT's history and development, and the Association founded both the Darwin Dili Race (in then Portugese Timor, now Timor Leste (East Timor)) in 1973 and the Darwin to Ambon International Yacht Race in 1976.
Geoffrey Hill's Santa Cruz 72 will return for its second attempt at the Rolex Sydney Hobart, after debuting in 2022. The yacht holds the current race records for the Darwin to Dili and Darwin to Ambon Yacht Races. This race will alse bring milestones for two crew. It will be owner Geoffrey Hill's 20th race south and Lindsay May's 50th ...
2024 Darwin Dili Yacht Rally Cancelled. The 2024 Darwin Dili Yacht Rally has been formally cancelled. Yachts are more than welcome to visit Timor-Leste independently of the Rally. We hope to be able to lock in dates for the 2025 Darwin Dili Yacht Rally as soon as soon as practicable and will let you know.
2024 Darwin Dili Yacht Rally Cancelled. The 2024 Darwin Dili Yacht Rally has been formally cancelled. Yachts are more than welcome to visit Timor-Leste independently of the Rally. We hope to be able to lock in dates for the 2025 Darwin Dili Yacht Rally as soon as soon as practicable and will let you know.
The cessation of the Darwin Dili Yacht Race led CYANT members in search of other sailing destinations. Spearheaded by Bill Jelley, the Darwin to Ambon International Yacht Race was founded in 1976. Read more … Darwin Ambon 1998 . The 1998 Darwin Ambon Race had 50 participants. Read more … Darwin Ambon 1997 ...