ABP’S IPSWICH HAVEN MARINA BECOMES PORT OF CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL YACHT RACE
A flotilla of around 30 yachts arrived at Associated British Ports’ (ABP) Ipswich Haven Marina on Thursday morning at the end of the first leg of a bi-annual race organised by Dutch bank ABN AMRO for its senior employees and corporate clients. The two-leg race sees competitors sailing between the Dutch port of Vuurschepen and a number of UK ports. The yachts will remain moored at the award-winning Ipswich Haven Marina until Saturday morning, when they will depart from Harwich harbour mouth for the return leg of the race.
Working in co-operation with ABP, Ipswich Borough Council convinced bank representatives that Ipswich was the ideal venue for this year’s stopover after giving them a tour of Ipswich Haven Marina and the newly developed and bustling waterfront. While staying at the marina, the competitors will attend a gala dinner at Ipswich Town Hall, hosted by the borough council.
The flotilla is expected to depart from Ipswich Haven Marina at 8.00am on Saturday morning to meet the 10.00am start time from Harwich harbour mouth. John Baldry, Assistant Marina Manager, will start the race from aboard ABP’s harbour launch The Fox. James Hehir, Chief Executive of Ipswich Borough Council, said:
“Landing this event is a big coup for the council, for the town and for ABP’s Port of Ipswich, and we offer a big Ipswich welcome to our Dutch friends. This is a great maritime spectacle and an important contribution to the local economy. It is fitting they are coming to Ipswich as our waterfront is the site of the single-biggest urban regeneration project in the east of England.”
Rob Smith, Port Manager of ABP’s Port of Ipswich, emphasised the importance of the event, both to the port and the town:
“The sight of these magnificent vessels moored in Ipswich Haven Marina demonstrates how Ipswich has rapidly become a popular destination for sailors across Europe. In four short years, we have created a first-class marina that has proved to be a tremendous boost, not only for ABP, but for local tourism and the economy as well. We are very pleased to welcome our Dutch visitors and hope that they will tell their friends at home about what we can offer.” |
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