After a six-year absence, Seychelles is set to kick off the fourth Seychelles Regatta on May 27.
The sporting event, which will run until June 3, comes a week after the island becomes the first African host of the FINA/Hosa Marathon Swim World Series this weekend. 10 boats and 100 skippers and crew members are expected to participate in the competition. Regis Elhaouel, General Manager of Publi Voile, the spearhead and main organiser of the event, said that a new fleet of boats was available, allowing the organisers to offer participants boats worthy of the high level of competition being organised.”
A number of high-profile skippers will be participating. “We are lucky to have three generations of skippers joining this year’s race. Even in Europe there hasn’t been one race that has been able to bring all of them together.
The event has received support from major tourism players, including the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Seychelles Tourism Board and Seychelles Yachting Association. It will offer a balance of rigorous sailing and tourism by encouraging a discovery of the Seychelles islands, departing from Eden Island and heading towards Silhouette. The itinerary showcases some of the Seychelles’ most tourism-orientated locations, including private islands, Praslin, Frégate and La Digue.
Chairperson of the Seychelles Yachting Association, Alain Alcindor, said: “Sailing is a developing industry and it is imperative that our local skippers are exposed to professionals in the field so as to motivate them. At the same time, it will serve as motivation for the youth.”
The date chosen for the regatta has been timed with emergence of the southeast trade winds.
