ISAF World Cup returns

The world’s top sailors are gearing up for the ISAF Sailing World Cup -- Melbourne, which is now firmly marked on the calendar as Australia’s premier Olympic class sailing event and is coming to our shores this December 1-8 at Sandringham Yacht Club.

Showcasing the best the world has to offer in Olympic sailing on Port Phillip, the ISAF Sailing World Cup -- Melbourne launches Victoria’s summer of sailing and will see current Olympians and Australia’s up-and-comers, as well as many local sailors compete for championship points.

Bruce Griffiths, Chairman of Sail Melbourne said, "The ISAF Sailing World Cup has cemented itself as a signature event on Melbourne’s major sporting calendar, with thousands of Victorians embracing the sport of sailing and celebrating its incredible athletes."

Hosted at the state-of-the-art Sandringham Yacht Club, the ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne will see more than 440 athletes from 22 countries compete on our shores.

Olympic Gold medallist and Event Director Mark Turnbull said: "We’re thrilled to welcome some of the best Olympic athletes from around the globe to our shores and provide a world class, competitive sailing regatta as some return from the America’s Cup, and many continue their 2016 Olympic campaigns.”

Gold medallist and Australian Male Sailor of the Year Mathew Belcher and partner Will Ryan will hit the waves in the 470 class, while gold medallist and 49er class partners Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen along with Olympic Laser Radial sailor Krystal Weir will also return to compete.

This year’s regatta welcomes back sailing legends John Bertrand and top coach and ‘medal maker’ Victor Kovalenko as Event Patrons, while Olympic Silver medallist and America’s Cup challenger (Emirates Team New Zealand) Glenn Ashby will join his America’s Cup winning nemesis and Olympic Gold medallist Laser sailor Tom Slingsby as event Ambassadors.

John Bertrand said: "Athletes view the Cup as an incredibly important training ground for the Olympics, and Melbourne has continued to deliver a world class international sailing event, which is globally regarded for excellence."

The ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne is an all-inclusive regatta and through Sail Melbourne’s Invited Classes, sailors of all ages, abilities and genders are given the opportunity to compete alongside their Olympic sailing heroes.

On offer this year will be a unique entertainment platform with events including the Official Dinner and Couta Boat Challenge & Luncheon offering corporates the perfect vehicle to leverage their brand alongside a global event and entertain guests by the bay.

From a grassroots perspective, hundreds of schoolchildren and their parents will experience the exciting world of sailing for the first time and learn about water safety during Discover Sailing Week, held as part of the Cup at five yacht clubs around the bay.

This year’s event culminates in Bayside City Council’s ‘Summer of Sailing’ Family Weekend on December 7 and 8, set to bring the bay to life and celebrate Victoria’s sailing community. While athletes battle it out in the final medal races, families will enjoy a fun-filled introduction to the exciting world of sailing with a huge range of free on and off-water activities.

"We’d like to encourage Victorian families to experience the sailing lifestyle this summer and get involved in the World Cup action in Sandringham," said Mark Turnbull.

For more information on the ISAF Sailing World Cup – Melbourne visit www.sailingworldcupmelbourne.com