After more than 20 years of hosting one of the Southern Hemisphere’s premier regattas, Woollahra Sailing Club (WSC) in Rose Bay will no longer be the home of Sail Sydney, Australian Sailing has announced.
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The national governing body is now inviting sailing clubs across New South Wales to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to host the event from 2025 onwards.
Sail Sydney, which began as a test event for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, has grown into one of the largest annual “off-the-beach” regattas in the region, attracting elite and aspiring sailors alike. The regatta has been a fixture on the waters of Sydney Harbour, with WSC providing the iconic backdrop and expert coordination that has seen it flourish for over two decades.
Australian Sailing has expressed its deep appreciation for Woollahra Sailing Club’s longstanding commitment, crediting the club’s staff and volunteers for their role in developing Sail Sydney into a world-class event.
“Australian Sailing would like to extend our thanks and congratulations to Woollahra Sailing Club for their commitment to Sail Sydney over such a long and important period. While we are sad to be moving from WSC, the opportunity to take the event to the next level in a new home is exciting with many opportunities for the new host club, the event and for Australian Sailing,” the organisation stated.
While the regatta has been based at Rose Bay for many years, it has previously been held on various NSW waterways. Australian Sailing is now seeking EOIs from clubs both on Sydney Harbour and in the greater Sydney area, with the aim of expanding the event’s reach and impact.
A New Chapter for Sail Sydney
The selected host club will take on the role of Organising Authority, working closely with Australian Sailing to deliver a four-day regatta in December. The event draws around 250 entries across Olympic and invited classes and plays a key role in the national sailing calendar alongside Sail Melbourne and Sail Brisbane.
Hosting Sail Sydney offers a wealth of opportunities, including:
- Increased revenue through sponsorships, event fees, and tourism
- Facility upgrades and new equipment
- Enhanced visibility, community engagement, and club reputation
- A chance to inspire youth sailors and strengthen grassroots programs
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Australian Sailing will provide support through race documentation, media strategy, and registration systems, while retaining commercial rights and overseeing overall event delivery.
Interested clubs are encouraged to submit an EOI and can find further details by contacting Emma Humphries at emma.humphries@sailing.org.au.
Published 24-May-2025