Scotland secures 2010 Laser World Championships

Scotland will welcome the prestigious Laser World Championships in 2010 it was announced today (June 30^th 2009).  The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has confirmed that Largs Sailing Club in Ayrshire, sportscotland’s championship sailing venue and home of the Scottish Sailing Institute, will welcome two out of four sailing regattas comprising the Laser World Championships: the Laser Radial Women’s World Championships from 7 - 14 July 2010 and the Laser Radial Men’s and Youth Worlds from 18 - 25 July 2010.

Hosting the event will attract more than 500 sailors to Ayrshire on the west coast of Scotland, including competitors from more than 30 countries, many with their sights set firmly on representing their country at the 2012 Olympic Games. 

The announcement was made by Skandia Team GBR Laser Radial sailor Charlotte Dobson in Glasgow today.  Dobson, from Helensburgh, was a Youth Worlds bronze medallist in the Laser Radial in 2004 and was also a strong contender for selection to the Laser Radial class at Beijing in 2008.  She said:  “Having sailed and competed all over the world, I really appreciate just how sensational Scotland is as a destination for the sport.  Not only is it a challenging environment, it is also rewarding in that it offers up spectacular scenery and warm hospitality.

“Hosting the Worlds in 2010 is a fantastic opportunity to compete on home waters and an opportunity to showcase Scotland as a sailing destination around the world.  Hopefully it will also inspire sailing fans locally and Scotland wide to develop their skills and get out there and enjoy the coastline.” 

The Laser World Championships have been secured for Britain and will be hosted by the RYA and supported through a partnership of UK Sport, EventScotland (the national events agency) North Ayrshire Council, the Scottish Sailing Institute and Scottish Enterprise.

“The RYA is both delighted and excited to be staging these key events,” said RYA Racing Manager John Derbyshire.  “The Laser Worlds will not only provide high quality racing opportunities so close to home for our British sailors, but also give us the opportunity to increase the profile of sailing throughout the UK during a crucial period for the development of the sport.  Largs Sailing Club offers ideal sailing conditions and shore-side facilities, and is a fine example of what world class sailing venues we have throughout the UK.”

In addition to the two regattas which will come to Scotland, the further two regattas which make up the 2010 Worlds, the Laser (standard) Senior and Junior World Championships from 27 August - 5 September 2010 and the Laser Masters Worlds from 11 - 19 September 2010, will be staged at Hayling Island Sailing Club in Hampshire.

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, said: “To secure the Laser World Championships for Scotland is a great achievement and testament to the country’s sailing credentials.  Scotland attracts thousands of avid sailors from around the globe to its coasts each year and hosting two prestigious stages of the Laser Worlds will further reinforce the message that it’s a world class environment for the sport. 

“EventScotland has supported sailing in Scotland through a variety of events such as the Bell Lawrie Scottish Series in 2008 and 2009 which have raised awareness of the nation’s first class facilities and enthusiasm for the sport.  Largs will without doubt be an unforgettable host and the scenery of the south west coast of Scotland will be an unrivalled backdrop.”

David Kent, Sailing Development Manager at the Scottish Sailing institute, said: “The Scottish Sailing Institute is looking forward to welcoming the Laser Radial sailors to Largs and putting the superb facilities on offer at Largs Sailing Club, Largs Yacht Haven and sportscotland’s Inverclyde and Cumbrae centres onto the international stage. Scotland will provide a very warm welcome and some great racing for this Olympic dinghy. It is a superb opportunity for Scottish sailors and race officials to take part in a world class event on their home waters.”

UK Sport Events Consultant, Esther Nicholls, said: "The 2010 Laser World Championships will provide a great opportunity for British sailors to compete at the highest level on home waters ahead of London 2012, which is key to UK Sport's events strategy. Our National Lottery funded World Class Events Programme aims to support the performance objectives of British Olympic and Paralympic sports, as well as providing opportunities for the development of a network of skilled volunteers and officials across the UK."

Councillor David O'Neill, Leader of north Ayrshire Council said: “Largs and North Ayrshire are not only the very best venues in Scotland to host the World Laser Championship but can offer our event visitors a warm Scottish welcome and memorable hospitality.   Largs and North Ayrshire have an abundance of assets, which contribute to a quality sailing destination and offer some of the best sailing in Europe.  We have large areas of sheltered water, stunning scenery, beautiful islands to discover and superb marinas and moorings up and down our coastline.  People from across the UK, Western Europe and even as far afield as America come to sail in and around North Ayrshire.  North Ayrshire Council has been an active partner for many years in the development of sailing and is confident that the World Laser Championship at Largs will be an outstanding success and will lead onto a higher profile for Scotland as a world class sailing venue.”

Annemarie Burns, Project Manager, Scottish Enterprise, said: "Securing the 2010 Laser World Championships is a huge endorsement of Scotland's role as a venue for hosting international and Olympic class events. Our research has identified that the sailing industry is worth around £250 million to the Scottish economy and this world-class event is a major opportunity to showcase Scotland as an international sailing destination and maximise its growth potential."