Perth 2011

In 2007, it was announced that Western Australia had been the successful bidder against seven other cities, to host the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships - the biggest sailing Event to be held in Perth since the 1987 America's Cup Defence.

The ISAF Sailing World Championships are held every four years with the previous Championships being held in Cascais, Portugal in 2007.

In announcing the decision to award the 2011 Championships to Western Australia, ISAF representatives said that Fremantle's strength in existing sailing infrastructure, good sailing conditions and venue facilities, combined with the infamous wind affectionately known as the 'Fremantle Doctor’, placed Perth above other bidding cities.

ISAF also commended Western Australia’s bid on the strength of financial and political support it had secured from both the Western Australian and Commonwealth Governments.

The 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships will be the key qualification Event for the 2012 London Olympic Games and will once again showcase Western Australia as a premier international sailing location.

More than 4,000 official personnel, including 1,400 sailors, and tens of thousands of spectators are expected to visit Western Australia for the two-week Regatta, where World Champions for each of the 10 Olympic sailing events will be determined. Seventy five per cent of all nations to participate at the 2012 London Olympic Games Sailing Competition will be decided at Perth 2011.

Combined with its natural beauty, Western Australia's summer weather conditions should produce ideal wind and waves to provide a worthy test for sailors and guarantee a world-class display for spectators.

In February 2008, Western Australia Pty Ltd was established as the company responsible for organising the Event in 2011. In July 2008, America’s Cup Project Manager and crew member for the historic 1983 winning race, John Longley, was appointed as Event Director for the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships.

The Dream Begins in Perth!