World's best sailors to converge on Adelaide

Some of the world’s best sailors will converge on Adelaide in January 2024 for the Laser Class Sailing World Championships.

The Adelaide Sailing Club has been selected to host the iconic championships – attracting world class athletes such as the Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Matt Wearn – as they prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Commodore Peter Royle said the event would have a lasting legacy on the future of sailing in South Australia, showcasing the Adelaide Sailing Club and SA’s exceptional events capability to sailors from Australia and around the world.

“The Laser Worlds 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 and our club as a regatta venue,” he said.

“This event will shine a light on sailing here in South Australia with some of the world’s best sailors traveling here to compete for the coveted World Championship trophy prior to competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“The Adelaide Sailing Club together with the South Australian Laser Association are excited to deliver this event, which is able to happen thanks to the generous support from the South Australian Tourism Commission and the South Australian Government.”

Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said the event added to the growing list of exciting world sporting contests being hosted in South Australia.

“It is terrific that we’ve managed to secure this event, as well as two other significant sailing championships, which will further showcase South Australia’s world class sporting capabilities, and our credentials for putting on a great event,” she said.

The Laser Worlds Regatta will run from January through to early February 2024 and will also incorporate the Australian Open and Youth Championships plus the Oceania Championships for the International Laser class and the Masters World Championships.

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 Western Australian Matt Wearn in Tokyo 2021.

Adelaide Sailing Club has hosted several World Championships in its recent history and has been awarded Australian Sailing SA Club of the Year for the last two seasons.

For more information head to adelaidesailingclub.com.au