2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup – Melbourne comes of age

by ISAF on 8 Dec 2014 2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup - Melbourne - Commodore of Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC) Kate Mitchell declared the 21st ISAF Sailing World Cup – Melbourne officially open when she surprised competitors and officials gathered at this morning’s briefing by firing the tiny gold canon with the very 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 among 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. Outteridge and Jensen are due to arrive today having missed their original flight to Melbourne due to a connecting flight delay.

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.

European crews who left behind freezing conditions expecting to strip down for a hot Australian summer were wondering what was going on yesterday in the 15 degree temperatures and showers.

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.

More importantly is the expected breezes. Today is likely to be south to sou’westerly 10-15 knots and the chance of showers. Tomorrow is southerly to about 10 knots, reaching 10-15 knots in the afternoon and partly cloudy and Wednesday December 10 the breeze is expected to be east to sou’easterly below 10 knots becoming southerly during the morning then increasing to 10-15 knots during the evening.

Seas are below 1m offering ideal flat water conditions across the six course areas. Classes will be rotated around the courses so each has the chance to impress the spectators when it’s their turn on the stadium course, the racetrack straight off the front of the SYC viewing deck.

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.'

This morning Bertrand wandered through the boatyard talking to competitors including ASS Finn sailor Jake Lilley.

The first session of racing started at midday today and the second will start at 3pm.