Breaking News - Qingdao Match Cup cancelled

by Sail-World.com on 23 Aug 2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour’s Qingdao Match Cup in Qingdao China scheduled for October 19-24th 2010 has been cancelled.

A little over two months ago, the Vice Mayor of Qingdao Municipal Government, Wang Xiulin, who is also the President of the Qingdao Yachting Association and Peter Gilmour, President of the WMRT, signed a five year agreement through to 2014, to host an annual stage of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour.

A brief statement from WMRT CEO Jim O’Toole today says ‘The World Match Racing Tour regrets to announce that The Qingdao Match Cup has been cancelled after the local organising authorities were unable to commit to hosting the event.

‘Despite an agreement having been concluded in June 2010 the local authorities have been unable to meet the requirements outlined by WMRT.

‘WMRT remains committed to the expansion and development of the world championship series and continues its discussions with potential cities.’

The sudden news that the Qingdao organisers were not in a position to deliver has come immediately after the International Sailing Summit in which speaker after speaker, including ISAF Vice President David Kellett and the WMRT Chairman Patrick Lim, had spoken enthusiastically about the benefits for Qingdao, China and for Asia of the Qingdao Match Cup.

Sail-World will bring you more news in coming days.

ISAF World Match Racing Tour Calendar 2010

Match Race France 6 - 11 April Marseille, France
Match Race Germany 19 – 24 May Langenargen, Germany
Korea Match Cup 8 – 13 June Gyeonggi, South Korea
Portimão Portugal Match Cup 22 – 27 June Portimão, Portugal
Match Cup Sweden 5 – 11 July Marstrand, Sweden
St Moritz Match Race 31 Aug – 5 Sept St Moritz, Switzerland
Danish Open 8 – 12 Sept Bornholm, Denmark
Argo Group Gold Cup 4 – 10 Oct Hamilton, Bermuda
Monsoon Cup 30 Nov – 5 Dec Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia