2010 Sydney Harbour RS Worlds moves to Europe

11:45 PM Wed 25 Mar 2009 GMT

'RS 400' Performance Sailcraft Click Here to view large photo

The bad news is that the 2010 RS World Championships planned for Sydney Harbour has been cancelled due to the global financial crisis (GFC) and the event will instead take place in France.

The good news is that the RS Association is providing free charter boats to all Australian and New Zealand crews travelling to Europe to compete in the event.

And the re-location of the world titles is likely to create another positive spin off for Australian RS sailors: the 2010 RS Nationals at Mornington Yacht Club in January are likely to be far bigger than anticipated.

Chris Caldecoat, of Performance Sailcraft Australasia (PSA), the Australian manufacturers and distributors of the RS brand said that the cancellation wasn't the result of a lack of interest among Australian RS sailors.

'It has been cancelled due to the global economic downturn.not from a lack of Australian competitors. It was a lack of international competitors and the RS class in Europe wanting to keep travel costs down and the event where the population is and where the boats are, and that is in Europe.'

He was quietly philosophical about the re-location of the event, observing that any World Titles events needs to be able to attract sailors from all over the globe to be seen as a true test of who's the fastest in the class.

Caldecoat added that with the continued strong growth of the RS classes in Australia he was sure that the Worlds would return to this country in the future.

In the meantime, Australian and New Zealand World Title competitors are advised to brush up on their French. Although difficult to locate in your standard Berlitz phrase book, suggested useful phrases (to be read in heavy accent) include:

'Hello beautiful lady: would you like to help me rig my boat?'

'I'm sorry, if I eat that I will no longer meet the weight requirements for my class.'

'Do you see that (very fast) New Zealand sailor over there? He told me that your boat was ugly.'

Contact PSA for more information- Vite! Vite!

www.lasersailing.com.au
rssailing.com.au

Performance Sailcraft contact details:
Performance Sailcraft Pty Ltd
Lot 7 Catamaran Road, Ourimbah NSW 2258
Australia

by Jardine Media

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2010 Sydney Harbour RS Worlds moves to Europe

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