Tauranga hosts downunder leg of around alone race

11.45am

Tauranga has muscled out the competition to win the hosting rights for the Downunder leg of the Around Alone yacht race, one of the world's most prestigious single-handed yachting events.

Tauranga's compelling arguments and "sheer enthusiasm and commitment" to host the event, along with the promise of top-class facilities and a community completely united behind the concept won the day when race organisers Clipper Ventures sat down to consider the bids.

When leg three of the 43,452km race arrives here to a huge welcoming party on December 28, the eyes of the world will be on Tauranga -- and with that will come international and national media exposure worth millions of dollars.

Business and community leaders were today quick to toast the city's success.

However, the celebrations are likely to be short-lived as they now turn their attention to organising an event the city can be proud of, and maximising the economic and financial opportunities that are likely to arise.

"This is an absolutely huge opportunity for the city and now the challenge is for us to grasp it," said Mayor Jan Beange.

"Winning it is great, but now we have to make this work for us."

Auckland was originally supposed to be the Australasian port of call for the 21 confirmed starters in the gruelling global yacht race, but the city backed out several months ago because the event came at the height of America's Cup activity.

A small group of Tauranga business, sporting and civic leaders seized upon the opportunity and within a matter of days came up with the money and prepared a bid to host the month-long stopover.

Also seeking the race stopover were Sydney, Melbourne and Wellington -- cities that boasted superior facilities, more financial might and a larger population base.

But in announcing Tauranga's winning bid today, Clipper Ventures head Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said while the competing bidders were all capable of hosting the Downunder stopover, none could match Tauranga's enthusiasm.

Tauranga's bid was professional, polished and clearly showed a city prepared to get behind the race 100 per cent. The city had shown it had the infrastructure, services and personnel to cope with an event of this size and there was little doubt that the entire Tauranga community was behind the race, Sir Robin said.

The international media would be in Auckland covering the America's Cup and could not help but be enticed to Tauranga to see the Around Alone yacht race, he said.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES