Feasibility study for Scotland to host ISAF Worlds in 2011

The Scottish Sailing Institute is gearing up for the possibility of staging the largest sailing event ever to come to Scotland.

North Ayrshire Council is currently evaluating the options for bidding and then staging the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships at Largs and the surrounding area on the Firth of Clyde.

The prestigious event, which is being held in Portugal in 2007, attracts 1,500 competitors from 70 nations.

Chairman of the Scottish Sailing Institute, David Hewitt, says it’s an exciting prospect for everyone involved:

“We’re delighted that ISAF and the RYA are considering Largs and the surrounding area as the venue for the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships. To be considered for such a prestigious, top class international sailing event reflects not only on the high quality of the area as a sailing venue, but also on the ability of the Scottish Sailing Institute and its partners to organize and host major sailing events. Although we are only at the feasibility stage you can rest assured that the Institute and its partners – sportscotland, North Ayrshire Council, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire, Largs Yacht Haven and Largs Sailing Club - will be working very hard to bring this world class event to Scotland.”

The Championship brings together the eleven Olympic sailing events and eleven Olympic classes in a combined World Championship. It’s the most significant World Championship for the Olympic classes, with an estimated 75% of the Olympic sailors going on to be selected.

In order to proceed to bid stage, the RYA and its partners are seeking a company to provide a feasibility study providing professional and independent advice regarding the feasibility and implications of staging the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championship.

The Scottish Sailing Institute is continuing to attract large championship events to its impressive facilities at Largs Yacht Haven. The biggest championship of the year in Britain, the Optimist Nationals, is coming to the facility in 2009. Next year the institute will host the Flying Fifteen Nationals, while talks are underway about Largs taking a share of another prestigious world championship event in the next couple of years.