TRANSNET National Ports Authority and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality last week hosted the technical task team of the Ocean Race for the 2021-22 edition of the race.
The Bay is one of two cities that have been shortlisted in South Africa, in the bid to host the African leg of one of the international stop-overs of the prestigious yacht race, scheduled to take place late in 2021.
Should the Nelson Mandela Bay be announced as the host city for the South African stop-over leg of the international race, the event will be a collaborative effort between Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), NMBM and other key stakeholders, such as the NMU (Ocean Sciences Campus), the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.
The Ocean Race is the ultimate team test in professional sport. It is the toughest all-round race to win in sailing, with its combination of gruelling offshore ocean legs and in-port racing.
The world’s best professional sailors compete in the race around the planet, lasting up to nine months. Since 1973, 13 editions have been held, with the 2021-22 edition building on that tradition of innovation and growth.
Acting city manager Noxolo Nqwazi said, “It gives us great pride that the Nelson Mandela Bay has been shortlisted as a host city for this prestigious global event. If we are given the opportunity to welcome visitors from around the globe into our beautiful city, we will ensure that the benefits that will arise from this event also benefit the people of Nelson Mandela Bay.
“Our key stakeholders have ensured that we were able to sell the Bay successfully to the task team. We are confident that we will receive a positive outcome. Like all other prestigious sporting events we have successfully hosted, we are definitely ready to host the Ocean Race too.”
Captain Faisal Sultan, senior operations manager at the Port of PE, said, “The Port of PE boasts great facilities and has the ability to host a race of this magnitude on a global scale.
“We are mostly excited about the spin-offs that an event like this can bring to the economy of the Bay though job creation, skills development and legacy projects. This event will further allow the port to migrate into a Smart People’s Port, achieving the ability to be a catalyst for economic growth, inner city rejuvenation and sustainable development.”
The host cities stage the start and finish of each leg, host in-port racing that scores points and provide crews with the repair facilities.
The announcement of the successful host city will be made by the Sports Consultancy (Pty) Ltd before the end of July.
