Geelong sets sail for a summer of world sailing in 2020
by Jessica Gabites 18 Aug 2018 14:28 AEST
8-15 February & 19-28 March 2018
L-R - John D'Helin (President of Victorian Laser Association), Christine Couzens (Member for Geelong), John Eren (Victorian Minister for Tourism & Major Events), Stuart Dickson (RGYC Vice Commodore), Peter Murrihy (Deputy Mayor of City of Greater Geelong) © Jessica Gabites
Geelong will be the epicentre of world sailing when it hosts four Olympic Class World Championships during the 2020 Summer of Sailing.
Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren joined Member for Geelong Christine Couzens at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club this morning to officially launch the events, which will see almost 800 international and local competitors take to the waters of Corio Bay.
The 2020 Summer of Sailing will include four high profile Olympic sailing classes including the 49er (men), 49erFX (women) and Nacra World Championships, as well as the Laser Masters World Championship.
These prestigious racing events will cap off a busy season of major sporting events in Geelong on the back of the annual Festival of Sails and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in January 2020.
The events are expected to inject more than $4.6 million into the Victorian economy as competitors, support crews and spectators descend on Geelong and the surrounding region February 2020 through March 2020, supporting local businesses.
With the Tokyo Olympics taking place shortly after in July 2020, event organisers are anticipating that international teams will stay on in Geelong to take advantage of the summer months to train before continuing on to Japan.
Visit Victoria is partnering with the Victorian Laser 2020 Regatta Committee, Sailing Australia and the Royal Geelong Yacht Club to deliver world class events during the 2020 summer.
The 49er, 49erFX and Nacra World Championships will take place from 8-15 February 2020, while the Laser Masters World Championship will take place from 19-28 March 2020.
The Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s Commodore, John Kint said he was thrilled with the announcement that two world championships would be held in Geelong in 2020.