World Sailing Offshore World Championship to launch in 2019

World Sailing President Kim Andersen © Laura Carrau / World Sailing

Announced at World Sailing's 2017 Annual Conference in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico the World Sailing Offshore World Championship will be a powerful platform to accelerate the interest and growth of offshore one-design sailing amongst the sailing community.

The Championship is a new annual offshore double-handed mixed competition between nations, featuring 20 boats. It is designed to cater to the fast-growing double-handed offshore community worldwide. An important goal is to engage with new countries by providing turnkey equipment ready to use at the event venue as well as a training academy.

Kim Andersen, World Sailing President commented, "World Sailing's Offshore World Championship objective is to create a pinnacle endurance competition to be pursued by the best sailors from all nations of the world.

"A mixture of 30 mile and 90 mile coastal races combined with a three day / two-night offshore race will ensure the Championship tests the competitors drives awareness of offshore sailing and accommodates commercial partners and spectators.

"World Sailing is excited to announce that the inaugural World Sailing Offshore World Championship will be held in 2019 and we are now seeking partners to work with us to bring the vision to life."

World Sailing is seeking an Event Management Partner (EMP) to manage the commercial and operational delivery of the World Championship from 2019 through 2024.

World Sailing is inviting EMP's capable of delivering a high-quality event in partnership with World Sailing that generates value for both parties.

The EMP will be responsible for procuring the event Host, managing key aspects of the event, promoting and marketing the event, creating commercial value, and through this, generating revenues from both the Host Venue directly and through commercial partnerships and activities.

See the Event Management Partner Information for Bidders document [PDF]

All bids must be received by World Sailing by 17:00 UTC on Friday 18 May 2018. Further questions will be sent to bidders from 21-25 May and there may be a requirement for presentations of bids at World Sailing's Executive Office in London, Great Britain.

A final decision by World Sailing's Board of Directors will be made on 4 June 2018.

Alongside an EMP, World Sailing is also requesting equipment proposals for the Offshore World Championship.

The Championship will feature 20 identical offshore boats. World Sailing is looking for an Equipment Supplier that will be able to provide a full fleet of ready to race double-handed boats available to charter on the dates and venue to be designated at least ten months in advance by World Sailing.

In order to provide World Sailing's Member National Authorities with access to a small fleet of boats for training, the Equipment Supplier will also be expected to work with World Sailing and the EMP to facilitate the establishment of a European based training academy with five boats minimum available the charter.

See the Request for Proposal of Equipment for the 2019 – 2024 World Sailing Offshore World Championship document [PDF]

Proposal submissions must be received by 23:59 UTC on Thursday 31 May 2018. An Evaluation Period will run from 1 June to 13 July 2018 with a final decision to be announced on 8 August 2018.