Hot spot
Geelong will be the epicentre of world sailing when it hosts four Olympic Class World Championships during the 2020 Summer of Sailing.
17 August 2018
Advertisement
Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren joined Member for Geelong Christine Couzens at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club this morning to officially launch the events, which will see almost 800 international and local competitors take to the waters of Corio Bay.
The 2020 Summer of Sailing will include four high profile Olympic sailing classes including the 49er (men), 49erFX (women) and Nacra World Championships, as well as the Laser Masters World Championship.
These prestigious racing events will cap off a busy season of major sporting events in Geelong on the back of the annual Festival of Sails and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in January 2020.
The events are expected to inject more than $4.6 million into the Victorian economy as competitors, support crews and spectators descend on Geelong and the surrounding region February 2020 through March 2020, supporting local businesses.
With the Tokyo Olympics taking place shortly after in July 2020, event organisers are anticipating that international teams will stay on in Geelong to take advantage of the summer months to train before continuing on to Japan.
Advertisement
Visit Victoria is partnering with the Victorian Laser 2020 Regatta Committee, Sailing Australia and the Royal Geelong Yacht Club to deliver world class events during the 2020 summer.
The 49er, 49erFX and Nacra World Championships will take place from 8-15 February 2020, while the Laser Masters World Championship will take place from 19-28 March 2020.
The Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s Commodore, John Kint said he was thrilled with the announcement that two world championships would be held in Geelong in 2020.
“With the announcement of these two world championships, the Royal Geelong Yacht Club continues to prove its reputation for attracting world class events to our city. By 2020 we will have hosted five world championships in seven years,” he said.
“The world championships will be a terrific chance to showcase our wonderful city and region to hundreds of competitors and their families from around Australia and overseas.”
“The events will also provide spectators with the unique opportunity of seeing Olympic sailors in the 49er, FX and Nacra Olympic Classes right here in Geelong, battling it out on the waters of Corio Bay before they compete at the Tokyo Olympics. In fact this event will also be a qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics that commence in July 2020,” he said.
“The Laser Masters Worlds will be spectacular with the world’s best sailors over 35 years of age converging on Geelong. We expect in excess of 350 yachts to light up Corio Bay.”
“It will be a massive year for the RGYC and Geelong and we look forward to hosting two world championships as well as the Festival of Sails and the Wooden Boat Festival in 2020.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
