The president of the Republic, Oscar Arias Sánchez and the Tourism Minister Carlos Ricardo Benavides, declared the “Transat Jacques Vabre Yacht Race” in Costa Rica, a “national interest” by means of an executive decree, as well as any activities and issues related to it. It is the third most important race in the world.
“All activities and issues related with the arrival of the “Transat Jacques Vabre Yacht Race” to Costa Rica were declared public and national interests because of their capacity to contribute to the development of Limón,” states the executive decree signed on August 26th released in the official daily newspaper La Gaceta.
The decree “facilitates and authorizes institutions in the public and private sector, within the respective legal framework, to contribute any kinds of resources or collaboration to activities and iniciatives related to the arrival of the Transat Jacques Vabre Yacht Race to Costa Rica.”
The race provides many opportunities to promote the city, in addition to providing space for improving port installations as well as maintenance and beautification of the city. It will also be part of state efforts to boost, develop, and promote tourism in Limón. These are some reasons for the decree.
The decree also reminds us that “it will encourage production chains and synergy among the businessmen in the region, and attract direct national and foreign investment. It will also boost the use of resources and national raw materials and products. In addition, it will create direct and indirect employment, increase tourism demand and other opportunities that can be turned into an important source of development and give the province of Limón international significance.”
The decree also highlights that the ninth Transat event “provides an opportunity to promote tourist wonders as well as investment opportunity in the area before the eyes of the international public who will be closely watching this event.” In addition, “it will provide many opportunities to promote the city and provide space to improve its port installations, as well as maintenance and beautification of the city.”
The ninth edition of this yacht race, which will leave Le Havre port in France November 8th, 2009, will see some 70 participants (two crews per vessel) from 8 different countries. It will also be seen by approximately 270 thousand spectators at the starting line.
The Transat course is some 5,000 miles (9,300 km) long and occurs every two years. It is the third most important yacht race in the world after Vendée Globe and the Route du Rhum. It is also the fifth international sports event held in France after the World Cup, Roland Garros, the Tour de France, and Rugby World Cup.
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