Laser Radial 2012 Worlds to be at Royal Queensland

FOLLOWING an Australia-wide bid for the World Championships, the International Laser Class Association in England has selected the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS) in Manly, as host for the two events in 2012.

Despite strong competition, the successful bid secured both the Laser Radial Men’s and Youth World Championships to be held on Moreton Bay. The current 2010 championships are being held in Largs, Scotland.

The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron was thrilled to win the bid for the 2012 events as the club plays a major part in supporting the growth of the sport within Australia.

‘It is a huge honour to be selected to host any world championship, particularly the Laser World Championships as it is the largest fleet of boats in the world, there will be over 300 young adults coming for the Youth World’s event from every corner of the globe,’ Suellen Hurling, Marine Sports Manager, RQYS.

The RQYS history has seen several World Champions as well as Gold and Silver medallists in both the 1973 Olympics and the 2008 Paralympic Games.

More recently, Mat Belcher and Malcolm Page of the RQYS won the 470 World Championships and are hot favourites for the Gold Medal at the 2012 Olympic Games.

‘We are to dinghy racing what Las Vegas is to gambling. We are pleased to be able to showcase what we have on offer here at Moreton Bay to the rest of the world’ Paul C Hughes, General Manager, RQYS.

The World Laser Radial Men’s and Youth Championship competition is predicted to attract over 300 entrants from around the world for each event.

Further information and race dates will be issued in the coming months with details posted on the sailing page of the Squadron website – http://sailing.rqys.com.au

- Ashley Kaine, RQYS