Summer of sport continues with World Sailing Championships

Adelaide is playing host to the best sailors in the globe with the Laser Class Sailing World Championships getting underway at West Beach today.

The Adelaide Sailing Club is hosting the event – attracting world class athletes such as Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Matt Wearn from Western Australia – as they prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The event comes hot on the heels of a successful start to the year for major events, following the Adelaide International and Santos Tour Down Under – providing an expected multi-million-dollar boost to South Australia’s visitor economy.

The ILCA 7 World Championships follow the National and Oceania Championships which were held 1-8 January 2024 and precede the Masters World Championship from 2-10 February.

More than 150 sailors from 53 countries are in Adelaide for the week-long event.

The top 20 sailors in the world are all competing, and every Olympic team has representatives here.

Organisers anticipate the three world-class events will inject $16 million into South Australia’s economy and generate an estimated 45,000 visitor nights.

The Laser class is one of the most popular sailing classes in the world and has been part of the Olympic Games since 1996.

Australia has had great success in the Laser class, winning the last three Men’s Olympic gold medals (2012 & 2016) and most recently by Matt Wearn in Tokyo 2021.

For more information head to adelaidesailingclub.com.au

Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said this is another exciting event on the summer of sport calendar that showcases beautiful South Australia to the world. 

"The Laser World is one of sailing’s most highly contested and iconic events and hosting it at the Adelaide Sailing Club is a massive vote of confidence in Adelaide as a host city," Minister Bettison said.

"Tennis, cycling, cricket and now sailing with so much more to come later in the year, including LIV Golf Adelaide and the AFL Gather Round – our events provide so much more than something to watch, they help fill hotel rooms, restaurants, cafés and wineries, and create jobs and prosperity for our state."

Adelaide Sailing Club Commodore, Peter Royle said this event is the largest sailing event ever held in South Australia and there has been plenty of interest from locals and visitors from interstate and overseas.

"We encourage any members of the public interested in sailing to come along and enjoy the sailing spectacle," Mr Royle said. 

"This is a free event and to be able to see the best sailors in the world all at one event – right here in Adelaide – is very exciting."