Flying Fifteen International has announced Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy in the UK, has been selected as the venue for the 2023 FFI World Championship to be sailed between 12 - 25 August 2023.
The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy is a world-class sailing venue based on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, UK. The location provides easy access to Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay, arguably some of the best sailing waters in the world.
Peter Allam of WPNSA commented, "We are delighted to have been awarded the opportunity to host the 2023 Flying Fifteen World Championship. We hope that our facilities, with access to some of the best sailing waters in the world and all situated on the World Heritage status Jurassic Coastline, will encourage record numbers to participate. Our aim is to run an international regatta in tandem with the world championship where we hope to see fleets of Silver & Classic Flying Fifteens participate, making the occasion inclusive for as many members of the global Flying Fifteen community who would like to attend. We very much look forward to welcoming you in 2023!"
WPNSA has operated on the waters of Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay for over 20 years and has been privileged to host multiple major international and national championships, for a wide variety of classes. The hosting of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events were a significant milestone, the legacy from which has created a pool of highly experienced volunteers supported by the equally experienced professional staff of WPNSA.
As a venue WPNSA has access to multiple racecourses enabling the centre to offer more Flying Fifteen sailors the opportunity to compete at the event. The location of WPNSA provides quick access to the sheltered waters of Portland Harbour. This racecourse is ideal for the Classic Fleet World Championship races and also for the International Championship, enabling Flying Fifteen sailors with older boats and those that have not qualified for the World Championship, an opportunity to be involved. This provides a chance for club sailors to compete at a first class sailing venue and socialise with the best Flying Fifteen sailors in the world.
The revised schedule of European and World Championships is as follows:
- The deferred 2020 European Championship will be sailed at École Navale, Lanvéoc-Poulmic, Brest, France between 13 -15 May 2021.
- The 2022 Flying Fifteen World Championship to be sailed at Fremantle, Western Australia in February 2022, deferred from 2021 due to Covid-19.
- 2022 also sees the 75th Anniversary of the Flying Fifteen Class and will be celebrated between 20 - 26 August 2022 at Cowes Corinthian YC, Isle of Wight, UK. This regatta will also be a European Championship.
- The 2023 Flying Fifteen World Championship to be sailed at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy in the UK, from 12 - 25 August 2023.
