A yachting race in Gallipoli peninsula to coincide with the 2003 Anzac commemorations has been resurrected after this year's event was scuppered by the fallout from the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Gallipoli Yacht Rally director Teki Dalton was hopeful New Zealand sailors would again take part in
the race which was first held in 2001.
About 30 yachts, including a handful of New Zealanders, took part in the inaugural race. Auckland yacht designer Alan Warwick was among New Zealanders to have expressed an interest in joining the fleet.
The handicap race is scheduled for April 12-24 ends at Anzac Cove to give competitors the opportunity to take part in dawn services on Anzac Day at Lone Pine (Australia) and Chunuk Bair (New Zealand).
Mr Dalton said this year's event had to be cancelled after the terrorist attacks made people "nervous about going to Turkey".
The original sailed from Istanbul to Gallipoli but next year the route will be shorter with the chartered yachts departing from Cesme on the Agean Coast.
Mr Dalton envisaged costs for the race, including airfares the hiring of a vessel, to be around $A6000 ($NZ7004).
- NZPA
