Darwin-Bali yacht race to resume

DENPASAR, Bali: The annual yacht race from Darwin in Australia to Benoa in Bali starts on July 27, boasting no less than 40 participants, Antara reported.

Organizing committee spokesman Yos K. Amerta told the news agency on Monday the first yacht was expected to cross the finish line four days after the race begins in the Northern Territory capital.

The Darwin-Benoa race will be part of the 2002 Marine Festival jointly organized by the Association of Indonesian Marine Tourism Businesspeople (Gahawisri) and the Indonesian Diving Association (POSI).

The organizers has moved the original route between Darwin and Ambon in the last two years due to security concerns surrounding sectarian violence in and around the Maluku capital.

Meanwhile, Antara quoted South Southeast Maluku regent SJ Oratmangun as claiming the regency was ready to welcome participants of an international yacht race departing Darwin on July 22. -- Antara