Thursday, November 25, 2010

World’s best line up for ISAF Sailing World Cup, Sail Melbourne

The first leg of the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Cup, Sail Melbourne is shaping up to be a ‘clash of the titans’ as Australia’s best sailors prepare to compete alongside a host of formidable international challengers.

From December 12 – 18, 2010 the state-of-the art surroundings of Sandringham Yacht Club will play host to top sailing talent including Ben Ainslie, triple Olympic gold and silver medallist, three times ISAF World Sailor of the Year and Britain’s most successful Olympic sailor of all time. He will battle it out in the Finn class with fellow Brits Ed Wright and Giles Scott, rivalry stemming from the fact that only one of them will ultimately win the right to represent the UK at the London Olympics.

Joining them on the water will be Australia’s own world No. 1 Laser sailor Tom Slingsby, who will be hoping a win will top off a magnificent 2010. This year Tom became the first Australian ever to be named ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year, as well as being part of the winning Etchell championship team and taking his third Laser World Championships title. At Sail Melbourne Tom is set to come face to face with nemesis and current World No 2, Britain’s Paul Goodison.

Beijing Olympic gold medallist and multiple World and European Championship title winner Malcolm Page will be back in Melbourne looking to defend his title, having won in his class alongside partner Mathew Belcher at last year’s ISAF Sailing World Cup.

Sail Melbourne chairman Bruce Griffiths said: “Sail Melbourne is becoming an increasingly important regatta as competitors prepare for London 2012. Australia has some of the best sailing talent in the world and with international competitors descending in droves we can look forward to an exceptional week of sailing and some thrilling on-the-water action.”