 Up to 1,000 yachts are expected to compete |
Organisers of a new event in Cardigan Bay are hoping it will develop into the first ever Welsh National Sailing Championship. The Regatta of Wales is officially launched on Friday by the Welsh assembly Presiding Officer, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas.
It is expected to attract up to 1,000 competitors on racing yachts from across the UK and Ireland.
The five-day regatta, which is to take place between 18 and 22 August, is jointly hosted by the Pwllheli Sailing Club and Abersoch's South Caernarfonshire Yacht Club.
 This is a wonderful opportunity to promote the Llyn Peninsula and the whole of Cardigan Bay as a stunning sailing location and a tourist destination  |
"A national sailing event for Wales is a very exciting and long-awaited development," said the Pwllheli-based yachtsman, Richard Tudor, one of the people behind the Regatta of Wales.
"It's hoped the Regatta of Wales will become a major event in the yachting calendar.
"Our hope also is that it will develop on similar lines to the biennial Cork Week which contributes �5m into the Irish economy," he added.
As well as providing a full sailing programme the event will include a quayside fair on Pwllheli's Hafan y M�r site.
Organised by the Gwynedd business support agency, Antur Dwyryd Llyn, the fair will offer regional craft and food producers the to display and sell their goods and produce.
 Organisers hope Pwllheli will benefit from the event |
"The event will undoubtedly be a sailing boost for the whole of Wales and is certain to benefit the local economy," added Mr Tudor.
Cooking demonstrations by chefs using local produce are also planned.
A wide entertainment programme has also been arranged to support the event at both sailing clubs with performances by street entertainers planned for Pwllheli.
"Just by combining the visiting yachtsmen and supporters we expect up to 8,000 visitors to the exhibition," said Antur Dwyryd Llyn's Head of Marketing, Terry Williams.
"The stands have nearly all been taken - but there's always room for more!" he added.
"The Regatta of Wales offers a week of possibilities, on and off the water, that is sure to attract visitors from far and wide," said Richard Tudor.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to promote the Llyn Peninsula and the whole of Cardigan Bay as a stunning sailing location and a tourist destination," he added.
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