Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Oceania and Australian Laser Masters Championship to go ahead despite COVID-19

by Roger McMillan 14 Mar 2020 07:35 PDT 14-18 March 2020
Lasers on the start line - 2020 Oceania and Australian Laser Masters Championships © Jon West Photography

After taking into account all available guidance from the Australian and Victorian governments, the organisers of the 2020 Oceania and Australian Laser Masters Championships have announced that the event will go ahead with format changes.

The announcement comes after the Laser Masters World Championships, which were scheduled to take place immediately after the Oceania and Australian event, were cancelled by the International Laser Class Association, in conjunction with the organising committee consisting of representatives from the Victorian Laser Association and the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, owing to the COVID-19 world-wide pandemic.

In announcing that the Oceania and Australian Championships would be sailed, Principal Race Officer, Peter Merritt, told the sailors that serious consideration had been given to the health and well-being of the sailors and the many volunteers who make such events possible.

With 165 competitors entered, the event falls within the guidelines announced by the Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison. Mr Morrison advised that any non-essential gatherings of 500 or more people would be banned from next Monday, March 16 as a precautionary measure.

Chairman of the Organising Committee, James Mitchell, outlined measures that will be taken in the interests of minimising risks to sailors and volunteers. This includes the cancellation of all social events and a review of all sailors travel history and health. The organisers will exclude any competitor whom they understand to be a health risk to other competitors or volunteers.

The Organising Committee will be reviewing the status of the regatta on a daily basis and monitor new information as it becomes available.

Interviews by Jon Emmett:

Welcome to Geelong

Alan Davis (GBR)

Related Articles

The Long Laser Lunch – a reunion to remember
Sailors from every state reunited over lunch like it was just another regatta weekend. Last month 93 Laser sailors from across the country gathered at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for what became a truly unforgettable reunion. Posted on 11 Jul
20 Canadians set for Long Beach Grand Slam Event
The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta will be held July 12-20 20 Canadian sailors will take part in the fourth and next-to-last event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta, to be held July 12-20 at one of the two Olympic venues for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 10 Jul
2025 EurILCA Europa Cup at Warnemünde overall
Favourable conditions on the final day for the 302 sailors from 32 countries The 2025 EurILCA Europa Cup GER concluded yesterday after four days of competition in Warnemünde, Germany. Favourable sailing conditions allowed all 302 sailors from 32 countries to enjoy the final two races in the ILCA 4, ILCA 6, and ILCA 7 classes. Posted on 9 Jul
2025 EurILCA Europa Cup at Warnemünde Day 3
Ole Schweckendiek leads ILCA 7 fleet into the final day The third and penultimate day of racing at the 2025 EurILCA Europa Cup GER concluded yesterday in Warnemünde, Germany, with two new races completed by all fleets, except for the ILCA 6 silver group, which managed to complete only one. Posted on 8 Jul
2025 EurILCA Europa Cup at Warnemünde Day 2
Sometimes there's only a second between triumph and a premature start Sometimes there's only a second between triumph and a premature start — a reality that many ILCA 7 sailors faced on the second day of the 2025 EurILCA Europa Cup GER, held during the Warnemünder Woche. Posted on 7 Jul
2025 EurILCA Europa Cup at Warnemünde Day 1
A total of 302 sailors from 32 countries are competing in the ILCA 4, ILCA 6, and ILCA 7 classes The seventh regatta of the 2025 EurILCA Europa Cup Trophy kicked off yesterday in Warnemünde, Germany, with the first two races. A total of 302 sailors from 32 countries are competing in the ILCA 4, ILCA 6, and ILCA 7 classes. Posted on 6 Jul
Northern ILCA circuit at Rudyard Lake
Gritted teeth, hard hiking and several capsizes Rudyard Lake Sailing Club held the latest round of the Northern ILCA circuit with eleven ILCA sailors on Saturday 28th June. Posted on 3 Jul
An evening with the Scaramouche Sailing Trust
Sailing hasn't always been a sport for inner-city state schools like the Greig City Academy Sailing hasn't always been a sport for inner-city state schools like the Greig City Academy (GCA). But they've shown it can be accessible to everyone, with amazing results. Posted on 2 Jul
2025 EurILCA Master FRA at Carnac
A total of 63 Master sailors took part The 2025 EurILCA Master FRA concluded on Sunday in Carnac, France, after three days of competition, with all six scheduled races successfully completed. A total of 63 Master sailors took part in the event, which was organized by the Yacht Club de Carnac. Posted on 1 Jul
World Sailing announces split venues for LA28
The boards will be at Long Beach, with the dinghy events at the Port World Sailing has said it welcomes the confirmation of sailing venues for the Olympic Games LA28 the boards will be at Long Beach, with the dinghy events at the Port. Posted on 30 Jun
Allen Dynamic 40 FooterSelden 2020 - FOOTERRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER