Sailing world championships to blow big dollars into Geelong’s economy

ELITE sailors from across the globe started arriving in Geelong this week for training sessions ahead of four sailing world championships, which are predicted to inject more than $6.8 million into the local economy.

The Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC) is welcoming more than 400 sailors from 35 countries, with many vying for selection for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The sailors will be competing in the 49er, 49erFX and the Nacra 17 World Championships from February 6-15, followed by the Laser Masters Worlds in March.

The program of events – being held simultaneously for the first time in Geelong and supported by funding from the City of Greater Geelong – will showcase Geelong to an international audience and has attracted some of the world’s best sailors to Corio Bay, many for the first time.

The three classes are Olympic categories of sailing and the World Championships in Geelong will be the final selection rounds for many of the countries set to compete at the Tokyo Olympics, which start in July.

The classes also act as a feeder for the America’s Cup and Sail GP events, regarded as the highest level of performance sailing.

The championship vessels set to compete at Geelong are the highest performance one design boats in the world. The 49ers are single-hull skiffs with two crew members. The 49er FX is the female class, while the Nacra 17s are two-person mixed crew catamarans with two hulls and foils that lift them out of the water.

Sailors have begun streaming into Geelong this week to start training ahead of the regattas.

Dozens of boats have arrived at Avalon Airport, many from New Zealand, which hosted the 49er and 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championships last month.

About 170 boats will be housed at RGYC and the western end of Eastern Beach for training and racing from this week.

RGYC Commodore John Kint said while he appreciated Eastern Beach would be busy during the championships, these events would deliver a huge bonus for the city and a spectacular sight on the waters of Corio Bay.

“Showcasing our beautiful city to hundreds of new visitors who will drive almost $7 million into our economy is a huge benefit for Geelong.

“The public will also have the unique opportunity to come down to the RGYC and Eastern Beach and see some of the best sailors in the world in action, right here on our bay.”

Before the World Championships, RGYC will also host the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Oceania Championships, incorporating Sail Melbourne and the Australian Nationals from January 30 to February 3.