The appointment gives Rainbow International the rights to host and promote the event that will be held at one of the world’s most beautiful bays, Nha Trang, Nha Trang City, in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam.

“It is a great honour for Rainbow International to host such a large scale programme in Vietnam. For the first time, Vietnamese people will have the chance to witness the competition amongst the worlds best sailors right off the shores of their homeland. It is going to be one of this countries biggest sporting events in 2010. More importantly, this is a fantastic opportunity for the world to discover Vietnam’s natural beauty, which I hope will bring about great benefits to our national tourism industry,” said Mr. Do Tuan Anh, General Director of Rainbow International.

This year, the Tour starts in April in France, and will reach Nha Trang City by late September. Mr. Le Xuan Than, Vice Chairman of Khanh Hoa Province’s People Committee said, “This is an honour for Vietnam to join the Tour. The province will do its very best to make sure everything runs smoothly. I believe this is going to be one of the biggest sports and tourism events in Vietnam for 2010.”

With expected media and television highlights coverage of over one billion households in over 100 countries around the world, the Tour will revolutionise Vietnam’s tourism industry and propel the country into the limelight across the globe.

Nha Trang Beach, Venue for the Vietnam Match Cup

Several thousand people are expected at the event to witness the world-class competition. This will provide Vietnam with the opportunity to reaffirm to the world its great tourism potential as well as boost the country’s growing sports and tourism industry.

Peter Gilmour, President of the Word Match Racing Tour, said that a being a coastal country, Vietnam features many beautiful beaches, especially in Khanh Hoa Province. Nha Trang Bay is one of the world’s most beautiful bays, and thus it is most apt as one of this year’s Tour destinations.
“It is our aim to expand the WMRT especially in Asia and Vietnam is our third destination after Pulau Duyong in Malaysia, and Hwasung City in the Gyeonggi Province of South Korea,” Gilmour added. “The Asian events have really taken the Tour to a new level of achievement and I expect to see continued growth across the Middle East and Asia for the Tour”.

Exciting events ahead

Olympic Gold Medallist and third in the 2009 Tour, Ben Ainslie (GBR) of Team Origin said, “It is really exciting that the Tour will be going to Vietnam. It is an amazing part of the world. It is wonderful for sailing and it is the most opportune time for the WMRT to expand its global reach this year. The Asian events we have done on the Tour have been some of the biggest ever, with very professional event management and some exciting new venues.”

2007 and 2008 WMRT Champion, Ian Williams (GBR) of Team Pindar, shares the same sentiments. “This is great news. I have never been to Vietnam before so I truly look forward to visiting one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and experience sailing along its lovely coastline,” Williams said.
The Vietnam Match Cup will feature a 12 team format with a single Round Robin followed by knockout quarter-final, semi-final and final.

Tour Standings
1. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 138 Points
2. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 97 Points
3. Ben Ainslie, (GBR) Team Origin 95 Points
4. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR 93 Points
5. Mathieu Richard (FRA), French Match Racing Team Racing 89 Points
6. Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar 83 Points
7. Sebastien Col, (FRA) French Match Racing Team 55 Points
8. Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 48 Points

2010 Tour Schedule
1 April 6 - 11 Marseille International Match Race Marseille, France
2 May 19 - 24 Match Race Germany Langenargen, Germany
3 June 8 - 13 Korea Match Cup Gyeonggi, Korea
4 June 22 - 27 Portugal Match Cup Troia, Portugal
5 July 5 - 11 Match Cup Sweden Marstrand, Sweden
6 August 31 – September 5 St Moritz Match Race St Moritz, Switzerland
7 September 8 - 12 Danish Open, Bornholm, Denmark
8 October 4 - 10 Argo Group Gold Cup Hamilton, Bermuda
9 November 30 – December 5 Monsoon Cup K. Terengganu, Malaysia