1st offshore racing championship in 2019
Announced at World Sailing's 2017 annual conference in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to promote offshore sailing, the World Ocean Racing Championship is set to debut in 2019. Raced in double-handed with mixed crews from 20 countries, the event will be held once a year for one week. 3 races of different durations are planned:
- a 30-mile coastal course
- a 90-mile coastal course
- a 3-day, 2-night event
Selection tests may be introduced in the future.
Choice of boat
World Sailing has launched a tender for the supply of a fleet of 20 one-design sailboats. The boats, suitable for double-handed racing, must be available for charter, ready to sail for the event, the dates of which will be communicated 10 months in advance. The supplier will also have to work with World Sailing to create a training base in Europe, offering a minimum of 5 boats for charter. The contract award, running from 2019-2024, is due to be announced on August 8, 2018, after an evaluation period between June 1 and July 13, 2018. Applications are due by May 31.
Choice of the organizer
World Sailing is also looking for an organizing company for the World Ocean Racing Championship. The incumbent will be responsible for the organization, marketing and promotion of the event, as well as commercial partnerships. Applications are open until May 18, 2018. The winner is scheduled to be named on June 4, 2018.
A French specialty
Very popular with French sailors, short-handed ocean racing is also attracting French shipyards. If we can imagine that Bénéteau will be on the starting line with its Figaro experience, other builders whose boats shine in the transatlantic races could position themselves, although the size of the fleet could be a brake. French bids to organize the races are also likely, given the French experience in ocean racing.
