The Hague to host the 2022 Sailing World Championships
by World Sailing 11 May 2018 20:34 PDT
12 May 2018
The Hague Host City for the finish of the 2017/18 Volvo Ocean Race and now the 2022 Sailing World Championships © Martijn Beeekman
World Sailing, the world governing body of the sport, has announced that The Hague, The Netherlands has been selected to host the 2022 Sailing World Championships.
Held every four years, two years ahead of the Olympic Games, The Sailing World Championships is the largest global sailing competition that has the participation of all ten Olympic events and is a must attend for the world's leading sailors.
Dreams will be made in The Hague as the Sailing World Championships act as the principal qualification event for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games; with more than 1,400 competitors racing in 1,000 boats over a two week period in August 2022.
An Evaluation Commission, appointed by World Sailing in March 2018, received two formal presentations from The Hague and Auckland New Zealand. Their recommendation to World Sailing's Board of Directors was approved today [Friday 11 May] in London, Great Britain.
The Hague is the third largest city in the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam, with a population of 525,000. The authentic yet modern seaport, and the natural environment of The Hague Beach, will offer the perfect base for the 2022 Sailing World Championships.
Competition for the world's best Olympic class sailors will be held on the North Sea and will provide a stern test for the athletes. Conditions vary within a short period of time ensuring competitors will encounter a diverse range as wind conditions and tidal patterns. Multiple races over the two weeks will ensure that the best all-round sailors take home the coveted World Championship titles.
The 2022 World Championships will be organised in close collaboration between World Sailing, the Royal Netherlands Yachting Union, the municipality of The Hague and TIG Sports.
On the announcement, World Sailing President Kim Andersen commented, "World Sailing received two final bids that were of the highest quality. The Hague and Auckland presented ambitious visions for the Sailing World Championships with the sailors, spectator experience and world-class organisation at the heart of their bids.
"The Hague showcased an outstanding city based venue, experienced organising committee and established partners, who are all committed to raising the bar on previous Sailing World Championships.
"We look forward to welcoming the team to this summer's Hempel Sailing World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark to learn from the event and take it to the next level in 2022."
Maurice Leeser, Managing Director at the Royal Netherlands Yachting Union said, "We are extremely happy and proud to host this prestigious event. Together with our partners TIG Sports and the city of the Hague, we presented a strong bid. This cooperation ran smoothly from beginning to end.
"Our new sailing centre in The Hague and the amazing results of our sailors over the past eight years have proven that we belong at the top of the international sailing world.
"The Netherlands is a true water sports country and hosting the Sailing World Championships fits perfectly. Besides our current podium squad, we have a new generation of excellent sailors who are ready to show their skills in a world class international competition. We are excited that this generation will have the chance to excel in their own nation, for their own fans and all the members of our sailing associations."
The most recent edition of the Sailing World Championships was held in Santander, Spain in 2014 where more than 1,100 sailors raced in 700 boats across a two week period. 50% of Rio 2016 Olympic Games places were snapped up with ten World Champions crowned.
Aarhus, Denmark will host the next edition in from 31 July to 12 August 2018. The Hempel Sailing World Championships Aarhus 2018 will be organised by World Sailing, Dansk Sejlunion, Sailing Aarhus, Sport Event Denmark and the City of Aarhus. For the first time, the Worlds will feature Men's and Women's Kiteboarding alongside the Olympic events for the first time with the goal to set a new record with upwards of 90 participating nations.
About the Sailing World Championships
The Sailing World Championships is the principal qualification event for the Olympic Sailing Competition. Only the events and equipment included in the next Olympic Sailing Competition are included in the programme of the Championships.
The largest congregation of Olympic sailors converged on Cadiz in southwest Spain for the first World Championships from 11-24 September 2003.
From 28 June-13 July 2007, Cascais, Portugal hosted the second edition of the ISAF Sailing World Championships. Building on the success of Cadiz four years earlier, 1,350 sailors and 900 boats represented 76 nations.
Perth, Australia hosted the third Worlds in December 2011. 1,200 sailors from 79 nations took part, racing for world championship glory and Olympic qualification. As the principal qualification event for the London 2012 Olympic Games, 75% of all national places were decided.
Santander hosted the 2014 edition of the Sailing World Championships. More than 1,100 sailors in 700 boats raced over a two week period. The event saw 50% of Rio 2016 Olympic Games places snapped up.
The next Sailing World Championships will be held in Aarhus, Denmark in 2018. The Hempel Sailing World Sailing Championships will be held at the Aarhus International Sailing Centre at the edge of the Bay of Aarhus from 31 July to 12 August 2018.