Hobsons Bay has welcomed 140 world-class sailors and 70 coaches from 29 nations to compete in the 2015 Para World Sailing Championships, running from 24 November to 3 December 2015.
Mayor of Hobsons Bay Councillor Peter Hemphill said the competitors would be racing out of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria in Williamstown.
“We are very excited and honoured to be welcoming these world class sailors to Hobsons Bay,” said the Mayor.
“I’m sure the competition will be an exciting one as the sailors will be fiercely competing for their final chance to qualify for the Rio Paralympics in 2016.
“This is one of the most prestigious events on the racing calendar and is estimated to bring $7 million to the State’s economy.”
Councillor Colleen Gates, Chair of Council’s Disability Advisory Committee, said she was confident the Hobsons Bay community would be welcoming to the visiting sailors, coaches and their friends and family.
“Making Hobsons Bay more accessible for people with a disability is one of Council’s key priorities and I am looking forward to celebrating inclusion and accessibility during this year’s Para World Championships.
“Council has run access sessions with Williamstown businesses to help them prepare for the competition and make the precinct a welcoming and inclusive place for competitors and spectators.”
Michael McLean, Chair of the Organising Committee for the 2015 Para Worlds and a former Olympic gold medallist, said the atmosphere at the club was exciting.
“This event has been three years in the making and we are very excited to see it all finally come together.
“We have been working hard to make sure everyone will have a great time during the event and we are very confident that it will be a world class regatta.”
The 2.4mR will be the biggest fleet in Melbourne with 45 entries whilst the Two-Person Keelboat, the SKUD18, and the Three Person Keelboat, the Sonar, have 19 entries each.
London 2012 Olympic gold medallists Helena Lucas (GBR) in the 2.4mR and Dan Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch (AUS) in the SKUD18 will be amongst the stellar athletes on show in Melbourne.
The Opening Ceremony is taking place today, with six days of racing commencing from Saturday 28 November.
A single race on Thursday 3 December will bring the regatta to a close followed by the prize ceremony.
Hobsons Bay City Council is one of the sponsors of the event, as is the Victorian State Government, through Sport and Recreation Victoria.
