Perth, Australia (21st December 2016) – For a city steeped in sailing history, to host the WMRT event is a significant opportunity. WMRT is pleased to announce that Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (RFBYC) positioned at Keanes Point on the Swan River in Perth, Western Australia will host WMRT Match Cup Australia 2017.

The partnership with the club also means they will host a qualifying World Tour level event, WMRT Perth Match Cup which will allow for World Championship points and the two finalists to win invites in to the WMRT Match Cup Australia.

RFBYCโ€™s location delivers a magnificent stadium style setting for spectators to enjoy the exhilarating M32 racing. โ€œThe partnership with the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club is a perfect combination of venue, sailing experience and personnel to continue to develop match racing. The location of the club will give the spectators a great chance to get close to the racing on the river.โ€ says Sam Murch, Head of operations at Aston Harald Sports (owner of the World Match Racing Tour).

Commenting on the partnership, Commodore Dean McAullay says โ€œRoyal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club is excited to be involved with an event of this calibre. With the Americaโ€™s Cup now racing on multihulls, sailing has gained attention as a great sport to watch. To have the M32 class here and be part of the WMRT is fantastic for Perth and a prestigious opportunity for our Club.โ€ RFBYC has a strong tradition of producing world class level match racing talent, particularly in the youth area and there are many young sailors currently competing internationally and performing well. The club co-hosts with neighbours up the Swan River, Royal Perth Yacht Club, events such as the Warren Jones International Youth Regatta and several current WMRT Tour Card holders are products of these regattas.

โ€œWith the experience the club gained from co-hosting last yearโ€™s event in Bathers Bay, Fremantle and the racing theyโ€™ve done during the winter with the M32s on the Swan River this will be a perfect start to the 2017 WMRT season. Lets hope we can build on the interest that the event in Fremantle last season generated and gain even more audience.โ€ Says Skip Lissiman manager at M32 Australia. There is plenty to see in the picturesque city of Perth which is known for having an outdoor water based lifestyle. March, while near to the end of Western Australian summer, will bring ideal conditions for racing in the M32 catamarans.

For more information on WMRT Match Cup Australia visit wmrt.com/events/wmrt-match-cup-australia

For more information on WMRT Perth Match Cup and for entry visit wmrt.com/events/wmrt-perth-match-cup-2017