Preview of the International One Metre World Championships in Gladstone, Australia
by IOM Worlds 21 Oct 02:48 PDT
20-28 October 2024
International One Metre World Championships in Gladstone, Australia © IOM Worlds
Racing begins tomorrow at the International One Metre World Championships in Gladstone, Australia. The competitors have spent the previous two days measuring their boats and practicing on the course, and now the real racing kicks off.
To ensure an exceptional World Championship, nearly all of the 35,000 local residents have contributed in some way. Racing will take place at the Spinnaker Park basin, where essential infrastructure has been set up to meet the competitors’ and officials’ needs. Furthermore, for the first time at a World Championship, nobody has remarked that attendees should have come earlier. The conditions are looking outstanding.
The racing will span six days, from Tuesday to next Monday, with a rest day on Friday. All races will be livestreamed on YouTube for free during the week and hosted by a team of skilled commentators. Be aware that you do not need to subscribe to an account, as that is a scam. For additional information, you can visit the website www.iomworlds.com.
The IOMs are dynamic and highly adjustable racing boats, constructed to a box rule with very stringent measurements, allowing for development while ensuring fairness. Competition is expected to be fierce, featuring both current and former World Champions and a group of remarkable challengers. Participation in the IOM Worlds requires qualification, with each region selecting their top sailors. The fleet includes elite competitors from various aspects of the sailing world—World Champions, National Champions, professional sailors, and round-the-world sailors.
There are no restrictions on age, size, language, or handicap when sailing IOMs, so performance is unconstrained. Additionally, they are easy to transport, facilitating competitor attendance (if selected). The event in Gladstone is fully entered, with participants from 20 different nations.
It’s important to mention that racing uses HMS Fleet racing for scoring. There is a maximum of 76 boats divided into five fleets. One race consists of all five fleets participating and is determined. For the initial race, fleets are assigned randomly. Your standing in that heat will determine your fleet for the next race. The top fifth from a heat move to Fleet A, the next fifth to Fleet B, and so forth. Therefore, in Race 2, if you finish last in Fleet E, you will receive 76 points, while finishing first in Fleet A earns you just 1 point. Also, if you place in the top six in your Fleet, you won’t score (yet), but you will advance to sail in the next fleet up. Conversely, if you rank in the bottom six, you score but will be demoted. This makes achieving a top-six finish in your fleet crucial, setting the stage for intense competition.
Exciting racing, a fantastic venue, superb conditions, and excellent coverage. What more could you ask for? The organizers have even scheduled the Cup to conclude beforehand and the Vendee to commence afterward. Tune in and enjoy!
