JOHN BERTRAND and JOHN LONGLEY REUNITE Options

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JOHN BERTRAND AM and JOHN LONGLEY AM REUNITE

America’s Cup Hall of Fame members and legendary Australian sailing identities John Bertrand AM and John Longley AM are reuniting to again make Australia the focus of international sailing.

In one of Australia’s finest international sporting achievements, Mr Bertrand and Mr Longley were visionary members of the history making Australia II crew that won the America’s Cup in 1983. It was the first time in the race’s then 132 year history that the United States lost possession of the coveted trophy.

Mr Bertrand and Mr Longley will be together on Tuesday 21 July at Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Middle Brighton, Victoria to announce a partnership that will turn the eyes of the sailing world on Australia.

In particular, they will discuss Perth 2011 plans to raise the international standing of sailing as a major sport and to help ensure its continued place in the Olympic Games. Recent changes to the ISAF Sailing World Championships racing format and big advances in technology will mean television and internet coverage of the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships will make sailing an even more exciting sport to follow ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Who: Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships Event Director John Longley AM and 1983 America’s Cup winning Skipper of Australia II John Bertrand AM
What: Media Announcement
When: Tuesday 21 July 2009 at 10am
Where: Royal Brighton Yacht Club, 253 The Esplanade, Middle Brighton, Victoria, Australia