World's best sailors for Melbourne

Melbourne's Sandringham Yacht Club will again host the world's best sailors, all tuning up for the 2012 London Olympics, during the first leg of the International Sailing Federation's World Cup in November.

More than 400 sailors, including a raft of world champions and Olympic medallists from more than 40 countries, will take part in the seven-day sailing marathon that kicks off on November 6 and which runs until Saturday, November 12.

The regatta and associated festival, known as Sail Melbourne, is not for the giant maxi yachts of the Sydney-Hobart race. Rather it is for the small one- and two-person skiffs and sail boards that make up the Olympic sailing classes.

There will also be races for youth and invitational classes including the exciting kiteboarders who will make their first official appearance at the 2016 Olympics.

Bruce Griffiths, the chairman of Sail Melbourne, says the growing anticipation of the London Olympics will ensure this year's event is the best since the regatta was awarded to Melbourne 2009.

Unlike most world-class sporting events, Sail Melbourne is free. The public is welcome to wander around the Sandringham Yacht Club, watch the world and Olympics champions rig and launch their boats, and then watch the exciting racing from the shore.

Australian Sailing Team champions including Tom Slingsby, Malcolm Page, Mat Belcher and Krystal Weir have all confirmed their attendance at this year's event.

"Sail Melbourne is the perfect opportunity for us to compete against the best of the best as we move closer to the Games," Olympic Gold Medallist Malcolm Page said. "I always look forward to coming home to compete in Australia. Sail Melbourne offers a great experience with fantastic sailing conditions on Port Phillip Bay."

All the action won't just be on the water, a marine-driven carnival filled with engaging lifestyle events is held in conjunction with Sail Melbourne and the Victorian Government hopes the event will continue to grow in popularity and rival the Spring Racing Carnival and the Melbourne Grand Prix.