Perth 2011 organizers have successfully completed three days of match racing in Fremantle Harbour as a test event for the Women’s Match Racing competition at the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships in December.

Six matched boats took part in the "one-on-one" racing, designed to give Perth 2011 and a team of race officials from Royal Perth Yacht Club the chance to test the Inner Harbour course, the race management systems, mark laying and the management of a racing fleet within a busy working port.

The finals on Sunday 20 February 2011 resulted in victory for skipper David Gilmour, with Peter Nicholas second and Tristan Brown third.

Perth 2011 Event Director John Longley said the test event had proved that match racing could be successfully sailed on the Inner Harbour in all wind directions, "We are now assured that all Women’s Match Racing at the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships can be sailed in the harbour so close to spectators."

Top international match racing Officer David Tallis from Sydney was equally confident, "This course brings the boats in closer than any previous competitions. We’ve had breeze from every angle and the varied conditions have really proved what a great place this is for match racing."

Both David Tallis and the Competition Manager Skip Lissiman said the Perth 2011 and RPYC race team had good cooperation from Fremantle Ports, the commercial traffic in the harbour and the recreational skippers who kept well clear of the race course area.

The Women’s Match Racing event in Fremantle Harbour during the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships will involve more than 200 races between individual boats staged over 14 days in December. Spectators in public areas of the harbour will have a close-up view of the action.

The match racing on the Inner Harbour also coincided with the Fremantle Boat Show and gave visitors a preview of what December holds in store for the busy working port.

Perth 2011 Organizers - http://www.perth2011.com/