Kiteboarding provides biggest fleet at Sail Melbourne

Five weeks before the start of the first ever Sailing World Cup including the new events selected for the Olympic Games 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, the kiteboarding fleet is by far the biggest entry for the regatta, even outperforming the Laser class which usually provides the biggest fleet.

Up till now, 39 entries for the kiteboarding men event have been received. But not only in numbers, but also in nations spread the kiteboarding fleet is outstanding. 14 nations have signed up so far in the mens fleet, and 5 in the womens fleet, more than in any of the other classes.

More entries are expected in the remaining 4 weeks registration period, with the top sailors signing in after this years successful world championship in Cagliari, Italy a few weeks ago.

Registrations for Sail Melbourne as of 24.10.2012, sorted by number of entries. For comparision: 2011 and 2010 entries

looks like they can be happy to have kiteboarding on board!

Yep It goes to show that Kiteboarding offers the sailing world huge potential for international fleets with the relative ease of carrying the gear with you on the plane, we just gota get yacht clubs built in kiter friendly locations

Once the final vote is out of the way in November I am sure you will see some more pros enter once they see it aint a waste of money.

I also think that with the Olympics just having been on numbers will be down in the other classes as some of them take a break.

Also in Australia we had our Nationals in June and there was no wind so everyone is super keen to get our first big race out the way as many have only purchased race boards throughout this year.

There is also a meeting of all the decision makers at sail Melbourne so there will be a lot of eyes on us from the sailing world, I hope it goes off without a hitch and we have good wind and the racing is fast and action packed