17 Nov WORLDS BEST TO HIT ST KILDA DECEMBER 2015
EXCITEMENT MOUNTS FOR WORLD’S BEST
ISAF SAILING WORLD CUP
ST KILDA, MELBOURNE
December 2015
For immediate release : 14 October 2015
Whether it’s preparing for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games or escaping the European winter, the 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne is set to be the largest yet.
ISAF World Cup Melbourne is bringing the St Kilda foreshore alive this December with World Class Olympic sailing. With a grandstand for sailing like no other, this event offers an exciting new family entertainment opportunity. 2015 sees the ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne move to the St Kilda Foreshore Precinct. Moving the event here has been years in the planning and the vision to take the event to the people has the full support of all involved. The event has been moved from the confines of a yacht club into this very public arena. When ashore it means the sailors and the public can mingle. St Kilda is Melbourne’s seaside playground that is loved by both residents and visitors. This iconic location is famous for its beautiful beaches, café society and vibrant nightlife. International level sailing combined with a fantastic festival atmosphere will enable this event to take sailing in Melbourne to a new level.
The new head of marketing and media for ISAF, dual gold medalist, Malcolm Paige said “A greater concentration of competitors and their families staying and eating locally and adding to a festival vibe is going to be great for them and the resident community.”
The ISAF Sailing World Cup is the pinnacle global series for Olympic sailing classes for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Organisers are hoping to top last year’s 900 athletes with greater international representation given the closeness to the Rio Games. This Melbourne regatta is unique in that it offers participation for invited classes alongside the key Olympic hopefuls. Event director, Mark Turnbull, 470 gold medalist from Sydney Olympics Games, appreciates the importance of young sailors being able to stand alongside their heroes on the beach and in the rigging area. “We are very intentionally retaining the youth and invited classes and giving young sailors the chance to mill about the boat park with their heroes prior to heading out on Port Phillip Bay pumped up having met and been inspired by Olympic greats and those in the making.” One of those lucky kids is the event ambassador, local boy, Linus Talacko. The world’s best sailors are coming to his club. Here is what he had to say about it:
“Hi I’m Linus, I’m 12 years old and I live in St Kilda close to the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron where Sail Melbourne is being held in December. I sail my Opti every week during the summer and after school in the club’s junior squad, except when it’s too windy when we play soccer instead – which is my other favourite sport. When I was 5 we went on a family sailing holiday and I thought it was really cool so I made my dad buy me an Opti! My favourite thing to do in sailing is to surf down big waves and go fast and my least favourite is definitely capsizing when it’s cold. I also really enjoy racing, especially the starts as we have really big fleets in the Optis so it’s really exciting. I have competed in lots of regattas including the Australian championships. My sailing goal is to get into the Opti world championships. I’ve been selected to be in the Victorian Sailing team this year and I’m really looking forward to competing at Sail Melbourne at my home club. It will be amazing to have so many of the top dinghy sailors in the world in St Kilda. I really hope to meet some of the Olympic sailors….and get some sailing tips….and autographs”. Photo – Jeff Crow
If you would like more detailed information on the event please visit the event website
www.sailingworldcupmelbourne.com
Scott Llewelyn, Director – The Partner Group – [email protected]
Ph: 0418 568 597
END OF RELEASE
c/- Yachting Victoria Inc. Suite 2/77 Beach Rd, Sandringham, 3191
www.sailingworldcupmelbourne.com : [email protected] : +61 (0) 3 9597 0066