The world’s
best sailors are converging on the Waterfront to prepare for the biggest range
of elite events to ever be held in Geelong.
Four
high-profile Olympic sailing classes will compete on Corio Bay this summer,
ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in July.
The Royal
Geelong Yacht Club will host Oceania and World Championships for the 49er
(men), 49erFX (women) and Nacra 17 divisions from 30 January to 15 February.
The Laser
Masters’ Australian, Oceania and World Championships follow in March.
Our bumper
‘Summer of Sailing’ will be spearheaded by the famous Festival of Sails over
the Australia Day weekend, creating a jampacked calendar of international
interest.
The world
championships event site will be established next week, as the first of about
170 Nacra 17, 49er and 49er FX vessels arrives in Geelong from across the
globe.
Crews will be
training in Geelong ahead of the world championships, with their boats able to
be viewed inside the Yacht Club and an adjacent area of Eastern Beach.
The event site
will provide public viewing areas and low-level fencing so visitors can get an
up-close experience of the Olympic sailors preparing and launching their
high-tech vessels.
This will offer
a unique experience for spectators, as generally the launching areas are not
easily seen.
The Summer of
Sailing will have a major financial impact, with the World Championships alone
estimated to inject $6.8 million into the local economy.
The Festival of
Sails last year generated an estimated economic benefit of $10.6 million, with
about 100,000 people enjoying the free public waterfront activities.
On-shore
entertainment through the festival includes live music, entertainment, stalls
and a dedicated kids’ zone.
The Laser
Masters World Championships has so far attracted 289 entries from 27 different
countries.
The City of
Greater Geelong has provided support for the feature events through Geelong
Major Events funding, with further funding provided by the Victorian Government.
Geelong’s
Summer of Sailing:
Festival of
Sails – 25 January to 27 January
49er, 49er FX,
Nacra 17 Oceania Championships – 30 January to 3 February
49er, 49er FX,
Nacra 17 World Championships – 6 February to 15 February
The Wooden Boat
Festival of Geelong – 6 March to 9 March
Laser Masters
Oceania and Australian Championships – 13 March to 18 March
Laser Masters
World Championships – 19 March to 28 March
Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher
Securing four
world championship events this summer is a great coup for Geelong and further
raises the region’s standing on the elite sports calendar. Geelong is the
home of the sport for the next two months, ensuring all the eyes of the sailing
world are on our region.
Scores of
world-class sailors are using Geelong as a base to practice and compete in
world championships prior to the Tokyo Olympics. The new viewing
platforms will add an exciting element to the events and provide rare access to
the Olympians and their impressive craft.
