Melbourne World Championships delayed to 2011

As the majority of you will recognise, the Class has been active in scoping and planning ahead for key events both within and outside of Europe in the coming years, which culminated in the very exiting prospect of the trip into Australia for our first non-European World Championships that was planned for Melbourne in January 2010.

The origins and extent of skiff sailing that Australia is renowned for, the conditions of Melbourne, together with the reputation of Black Rock YC in holding quality events, make a Worlds event there a desirable Championship to put into your sailing memories.

Whilst your Class Executive, our Australian colleagues and, the race management of Black Rock YC, Melbourne, have been in lengthy discussions over the event, the broad impacts surrounding the economic downturn that has occurred over the last year, especially in Europe, has led to collective agreement and a decision for the event to now be postponed for a period of 12 months, until January 2011.

We are aware that the decision is both a disappointment and a slight relief to a number of our sailors in different measures and for different reasons, but the important thing is that the Class is dedicated to seeing a successful event take place with the appropriate supporting attendance.

The precise dates will be announced in the next few weeks, which will allow all of us to plan ahead with a greater confidence and certainty to ensure the emergence and level of attendance from a broad number of nations, which we have seen underpin the growth and success of our past Championship event locations. Being a growing ISAF International Class, we will be both aiming for and seeking to secure a 50+ boat world wide attendance.

Just to see a poorly attended event in such a key venue proceed under difficult financial circumstances for many, would have been a great loss to the Class’s first non-European World Championships and, a great disappointment to the emergence of talented sailors within Australia, who have already purchased boats ready for day they welcome and mix with a class fleet they have read so much about.

In the intervening period, what the Class will be addressing anew is putting together is a dedicated 'Melbourne World Championship Committee', as it will be important to address the aspirations and expectations of both attendance and likely travel requirements from different nations of the Class. Equally, your Class will be looking into the arrangements of both the planned and committed future events schedule.