ISAF Sailing World Cup begins
Melbourne hosting 800 sailors from 33 countries this weekCommodore of Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC) Kate Mitchell declared the 21st ISAF Sailing World Cup – Melbourne officially open by firing a small gold canon with the surprisingly loud blast.
The major regatta of Yachting Victoria began in 1994. It’s now the opening event of the 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup held across six cities around the world and has drawn more than 500 boats and 800 competitors representing 33 countries to compete on the vast expanse of Port Phillip.
Competitors enter the ISAF World Cup, which is the Olympic and Paralympic divisions, or one of the Sail Melbourne invited classes that makes the regatta an all-inclusive event
The 49er, 49erFX, RSX men’s and women’s and Nacra 17 from the Olympic classes and the 49erFX Open and Bic Technos from Sail Melbourne’s invited classes are first off the starting blocks.
Thirteen Olympic and Paralympic Australian Sailing Team (AST ) athletes and 30 Australian Sailing Squad members, including London Olympic gold medallists Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen, Paralympic gold medallist Liesl Tesch and Dan Fitzgibbon as well as no less than four Olympic silver medallists will battle it out on Port Phillip over the course of a week.
At this point in the Olympic cycle of ranking points and selection, the number of country flags flying at SYC has increased by five on last year. Event director Mark Turnbull says: "Olympic selection is ramping up and also this World Cup event is growing in terms of credibility and its ability to draw competitors from around the globe."
An international jury of 10 is at the ISAF Sailing World Cup – Melbourne aiming to create a level playing field for competitors and an on-water team of around 140 race management officials and volunteers from across a number of Victorian yacht clubs are gearing up for an equally busy week.
The forecast is for steadily improving conditions with showers clearing and an outlook for 28 degrees by Saturday December 13, the first day of the final Medal deciding weekend.
Event patron John Bertrand said: "As well as the proven name of sailing, some of our best and brightest up-and-coming talents will descend on Port Phillip to compete alongside the world’s best in a competition that is an invaluable preparation for aspiring Olympians."
On Monday (Dec 8) Bertrand wandered through the boatyard talking to competitors including as ASS Finn sailor Jake Lilley.
Results are available here: www.sailing.org/worldcup/results/index.php
If you would like more detailed information go to: www.sailingworldcupmelbourne.com
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