The views of Big Boat racing will be spectacular along the waterfront when the ORCi Worlds comes to Copenhagen with the Royal Danish Yacht Club and Egaa Yacht Club as organizers. The big event is a reality after an approval decision Wednesday by the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC).
At noon on Wednesday 5 November it was announced by the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) that the 2016 ORCi World Championship in 2016 goes to Copenhagen, to be organized by the Royal Danish Yacht Club (KDY) and Egaa Yacht Club (ES). This resulted in great excitement among the Danish participants. Through the last year, representatives from the two yacht clubs have worked intensively on the application together with the Danish Sailing Federation, Sport Event Denmark (the Danish national sport events agency) and Wonderful Copenhagen (Copenhagen Tourist Agency).
The proposal was presented at the ORC annual meeting this Sunday in Palma.
Bruno Finzi, Chairman of ORC, said: “We congratulate the Royal Danish YC and the Egaa YC on their successful selection as the host organizers of the 2016 ORC World Championship. Their strong racing history, excellent venue, and inspiring shoreside program were key factors for the Congress to approve their bid. Given the recent growth in popularity of ORCi racing in the Baltic region, we have every confidence the 2016 Worlds in Tuborg Harbor will continue on the recent trends of providing an event of both high popularity and quality for all entered teams.”
The President of the Danish Sailing Federation welcomes the decision: “Denmark is one of the world’s leading sailing countries. Our yacht clubs and volunteers are highly respected as organizers of major sailing events and championships. It is wonderful but also natural that KDY and Egaa Yacht Club are able to attract an event like the ORC Worlds to Denmark.”
CEO Lars Lundov, Sport Events Denmark, adds: “Following the award of the ISAF World Championships to Denmark in 2018 we have again been able to attract one of the most spectacular sailing events to Denmark. Denmark has steadily gained more recognition for the hosting of major international sporting events – also when it comes to sailing regattas.”
The ORCi WC will take place in Tuborg Harbour just north of Copenhagen. The harbour offers sufficient space and good facilities for the expected 120-140 boats with up to 1400 sailors.
The event will take place 15-24 July 2016 and will be an important element in the celebration of the Royal Danish Yacht Club’s 150 years anniversary that year.
The CEO of the Royal Danish Yacht Club, Christian Lerche, who presented the proposal to the ORC this Sunday, says: “This will be a spectacular event. I am so happy for the positive response to our proposal. Tuborg harbour, Öresund and Copenhagen will form an excellent framework for a major sailng event for big boats. We were recognized for our experience and capabilities as regatta organizers.”
Michael Quist (Egaa) explains: “The number of Danish boats measured under the ORCi is in a positive development.
By awarding the ORCi WC to Denmark, it is expected that more boat owners will measure their boats under this rule, enabling them to enter the World Championship.” Up to the annual meeting in Palma Michael Quist was nominated as the first Danish ORC-member by the Danish Sailing Federation. This was made possible by the increasing number of Danish boats.
Facts about ORCi World Cup: ORCi is an international technical rule enabling different boats to compete after handicap. The participating boats are 30-65 feet long and have up to 15 sailors on board. The races will be sailed on courses north of Copenhagen combined with longer offshore races. In 2014 the ORCi WC was organized by Kieler Yacht Club with 151 participants. In 2015 it will take place in Barcelona.