Sail Melbourne is the major event of Yachting Victoria. Having commenced in 1994, it is has now grown into one of only five ISAF (International Sailing Federation) Grade 1 events held annually around the world and the only one on the Southern Hemisphere. Sail Melbourne is known by sailors around the world for the great sailing conditions prevalent on Port Phillip, the spirit and enjoyment with which the event is conducted and the professionalism of its race management teams – all of which are amongst the best in the world.

Sail Melbourne is held annually in December - January each year and includes:

• Up to 30 different events consisting of:
• The ISAF Grade 1 event for all 11 Olympic Classes
• World Championships for different dinghy classes (2 – 3 a year)
• Asia-Pacific / Oceania Championships (1 - 3 a year)
• National Championships for different dinghy classes (10 – 20 a year)
• Is conducted from up to 18 different yacht clubs around Port Philip and through out Victoria.
• Now attracts between 2,000 and 3,000 competitors from approximately 30 different countries.
• Organised the inaugural 1999 Sailing World Championships that delivered 15 different World Championships at once.
• Comes together as a complete ‘Celebration of Sailing’ for competitors and general public.

Through the conduct of events, Sail Melbourne is part funded by State Government to :

• promote sailing as a healthy and enjoyable sport for pleasure and competition for everyone for life.
• bring international and interstate sailors to Victoria.
• highlight and promote Melbourne as the world class sailing destination that is it.
• support the development and growth of sailing classes, Yacht Clubs and sailors.

Sail Melbourne provides the greater Australian sailing community, in particular youth sailors, with a terrific opportunity to learn and develop into future World Champions. By conducting professionally run regattas, bringing together many of the World’s best sailors, with support programs and coaching, excellent facilities and infrastructure we are helping Australian sailors become even faster, more professional and better experienced to take on the world.

The 2006 event attracted many of the world’s finest sailors, coaches and officials with a range of World, Australian and Regional Championships, including two World Championship events. 

Sail Melbourne 2007 will see one the biggest International fleets ever compete in the Olympic & Invited Classes Regatta at Sandringham Yacht Club with sailors from around the world confirming their attendance. The Pacific Rim Optimist Championships will be held at Mornington Yacht Club with up to 100 junior sailors aged between 8 and 13 racing together while the spectacular International skiff Regatta at Royal Geelong Yacht Club will bring together 150 of the worlds fastest and most spectacular skiffs to race in a fantastic display of speed and colour. And all this in combination with 10 – 20 national championships conducted around the State.

Sail Melbourne maintains an up to date website which acts as a central source of information on all events in addition to results, class/club contacts, online entries and terrific photo galleries from the previous four year’s regattas. The site recorded nearly 5.6 million hits in December – January 2006. www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Further Information: Vikki Moloney, Sail Melbourne Manager, 03 9597 0066 ext 3, info@sailmelbourne.com.au