Some of Australia’s best sailors will show the world why they ruled at the London Games as Sail Melbourne welcomes the first leg of the ISAF Sailing World Cup back to Sandringham Yacht Club from December 2 – 8, 2012.
Proudly supported by the State Government of Victoria, this world class regatta offers an opportunity for local and international Olympic athletes as well as a new generation of sailors to compete for the world title and commence their 2016 Olympic campaign for Rio de Janeiro.
At this year’s ISAF Sailing World Cup, Sail Melbourne will celebrate Australia’s golden moment in one of the world’s greatest sporting capitals, providing an inspirational platform for our Olympians and next generation of sailors as they work towards realising their Olympic dream.
Two-time Olympic gold medal winner and six-time 470 world champion sailor Malcolm Page will attend the event as an ambassador following the announcement of his retirement from Olympic Class sailing post the London Games, along with fellow ambassador and gold medallist Iain Jensen.
Mathew Belcher, the other half of the 470 champion duo will launch his new crew in the 470 class at Sail Melbourne, while Olympians Elise Rechichi, Krystal Weir and Brendan Casey will also compete for gold in their respective classes.
Complementing the ISAF Sailing World Cup will be Sail Melbourne’s Invited Class Program, which provides an opportunity for aspiring young sailors to compete in a world class event alongside their sailing heroes. This year’s program will feature kiteboarding, with more than 50 competitors from around the world lining up for this year’s event including world number two kiteboarder Riccardo Leccese.
From a grassroots perspective, our young aspiring athletes will have the chance to rub shoulders with their Olympic heroes at a specially organised event. Sail Melbourne will also host an Olympic Roadshow celebrating our athletes’ success, bringing Olympic medallists to the people with a number of activities taking place at yacht clubs around the bay.
The Sail Melbourne Cup Carnival will continue to feature live music, fashion, great food and family entertainment. Guests of the Official World Cup Dinner will be given the opportunity to pay tribute to the Australian Sailing Team and the Sail Experience Luncheon will also return with a golden focus and Olympic-themed premium hospitality program as we welcome the athletes back to our shores.
In addition, Sail Melbourne will work in conjunction with Yachting Victoria’s Discover Sailing team and event partner Play it Safe by the Water to implement a week-long program aimed at educating local schoolchildren and parents about sailing in a fun, safe environment on Port Phillip Bay.
The 2013 ISAF Sailing World Cup features four regattas globally, of which Sail Melbourne is the first. Following Melbourne, teams will compete in Miami, USA and Palma, Spain; finishing in Hyeres, France. Qingdao, China will join the circuit for the 2013-2014 series as the ISAF Sailing World Cup continues its development on its way to becoming a truly world circuit of events.
For more information on Sail Melbourne visit www.sailmelbourne.com.au
Follow Sail Melbourne ambassador Vicky Boat on Twitter and at her blog to get the latest news straight from the bay.
