2016 Worlds - Back to South Africa

1 November 2013

It has been a long time between drinks but that just makes the return of the Fireball World Championships to South Africa even more special.

Fireball International are excited to announce that Mossel Bay located on the famous Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth has been chosen to host the 2016 Fireball World Championships.

Dates for the event are yet to be finalised but are likely to be late in 2016 providing a healthy break after the 2015 Welsh Worlds so people can start saving for what will be a fantastic event.

The Fireballs last held a World Championship in South Africa in 1994 further up the coast from Mossel Bay in Durban. Stories are still told about the great sailing with solid breezes, big waves and sensational rides.  Mossel Bay will provide this and more with winds through the full range, plenty of on and off water activities and a friendly atmosphere.

Information on Mossel Bay can be found on the local tourism web site - http://www.visitmosselbay.co.za/

The Yacht Club also has a web site - www.mbybc.co.za

There is also a good Youtube video showing what the town has to offer - http://youtu.be/8Pjy7BTC1jA

So what should the competitors expect when they begin rigging their Fireballs in the Southern Cape harbour town sometime during November - December 2016?

Well, Dan Jaspers, the International Sailing Federations' training manager - who visited the town and sailed there during August this year - said, "The way it was pitched to us was 'the best sailing in the world' ... 'the best sailing in South Africa,' and we hear that quite a lot.

"But truly, being on the water yesterday, I said to one of the coaches: 'I could stay out here all day and all night if I had to.'

"It's just a fantastic place ... the people are friendly... the sailing conditions are amazing: it varies from light winds to high winds throughout one day. It's never constant, and that challenges you as a sailor, and keeps you wanting to find out what's going on round the corner.

"An absolutely, truly amazing place."

Mr. Holden said that data from August 2009 and 2010 were consistent, and showed average wind speeds of between 10 and 20 knots, gusting to between 25 and 30 knots on only three occasions during both periods.

"The water temperatures are also generally warmer at that time of the year - so the sailing's going to be fantastic."

He said that the facilities at the Club are more than adequate to the task of hosting the event.

"The Club is tucked into a corner of the Bay, behind the breakwater, so it offers easy launching of rescue and support boats in all weather conditions. It's also well situated for watching the racing, and, in fact, you can see most of the sailing area both from the balcony and from the sea wall in front of the car park."

Mr. Holden said that the Club enjoys a good working relationship with the National Ports Authority - they're next-door neighbours - and that the harbour offers a crane and, "More than adequate putting-in and taking-out facilities.

"It's also got plenty of parking for trailers and containers - and safe and secure mooring in the marina."

Shore facilities at the Mossel Bay Yacht Club include a popular restaurant and bar, as well as conference facilities - with bigger conference rooms available at the Mossel Bay Protea Hotel, which is less than 200 metres away.

"With warm, safe sailing waters, good winds, options for racing in the Bay or out in the open sea, good positions for spectators around the town, and a choice of accommodation and restaurants within walking distance of the Yacht Club, Mossel Bay is an ideal sailing destination," said Mr. Holden.

Mossel Bay Tourism chairman Neels Zietsman said that Mossel Bay is unique because of its weather - it enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine every year - but also because it's "The only coastal resort town I know of that offers sea-front accommodation to everyone, no matter what your budget may be.

"So it doesn't matter whether you're looking for a camping or caravan site, or a four-star hotel or guest house - you'll be welcome and you'll be able to afford your stay in Mossel Bay."

He said there are various reasons why the town is such a popular holiday destination - but that all of them come back to one simple formula: there's plenty to do in Mossel Bay.

"It's perfect for the outdoor lifestyle that we South Africans love so much, because it's got the right mix of ocean, beach, fynbos, mountains, and people - and the tourism industry has made the most of them by offering an incredibly wide selection of adventures, tours, and attractions that range from extreme sports - like shark cage diving - to the culture of museums, fine art and the theatre."

Mr. Holden said the mix of attractions, accommodation, weather, sailing conditions, and sailing facilities, was expected to stand Mossel Bay in good stead in its bid for the 2014 Dart 18 Worlds - for which a preliminary bid document has already been submitted.

"As you can imagine, with these conditions - and the enthusiasm of the members of the Yacht Club - Mossel Bay is paying special attention to sailing development.