Melges 24 Worlds for Aus

In a major coup, Geelong has won the bid to host the prominent Melges 24 Class World Championship sailing regatta, in January 2014.

The International Melges 24 Class Association at the November 24th World Council, held in Helsinki Finland, announced that the Royal Geelong Yacht Club will play host to the first championship held outside the Northern Hemisphere.

The Melges 24 is crewed by up to five competitors and is the world's premier grand prix sports boat.

With strong fleet numbers throughout Europe and North America, it is anticipated that the 2014 World Championship will attract the very best sailors in the world to Vicctoria to compete, including Olympians, America's Cup stars and multiple world, continental and national champions.

The championship will be programmed to overlap with the Southern Hemisphere’s largest sailing event, Geelong’s Festival of Sails.

The confirmed support of both State and Local Governments was pivotal in the success of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club bid.

The Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hugh Delahunty said he was pleased to see the Melges 24 Class World Championship had been secured for the Festival, which has been awarded to the Royal Geelong Yacht Club.

Minister Delahunty said: "The Victorian Government is delighted that the International Melges 24 Association has chosen to hold their first Southern Hemisphere World Championship in Victoria. The city of Geelong and Royal Geelong Yacht Club are set to offer competitors and families from overseas a fantastic opportunity to experience a wonderful Australian holiday, as well as being able to compete in the world-renowned Festival of Sails lead-up regatta."

Hosting a world championship reaffirms the Festival of Sails as a premier international event and Geelong as a premier Australian sailing venue.