The International Canoe Federation’s sailing committee has taken the tough decision to once again postpone this year’s canoe sailing world championships until the end of 2022 due to ongoing concerns surrounding Covid-19.
The XX1 world championships were originally due to be held at the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club in Australia in 2020, but were postponed until December this year.
Event organisers and the ICF have now agreed that ongoing international travel restrictions have made it too difficult for athletes and officials to prepare for this year with confidence.
“The ICF sailing committee has been monitoring the Covid 19 situation and has reluctantly come to the conclusion that with continuing international travel restrictions and quarantine requirements, it will not be feasible for most of the international fleet to travel to Australia for the World Championship in December 2021/January 2022,” ICF sailing committee chairman, Phil Robin, said.
“It is hoped by announcing the postponement now, IC sailors around the world can make plans for sailing in their own countries and continents, in advance of travelling to Australia for the world championship in December 2022 to January 2023.”
It is planned to hold the world championship races between January 2-8, 2023, and the 2023 New York Canoe Club International Challenge Cup, the second-oldest international trophy still contested in world sailing, on January 9.
The ICF Canoe Sailing World Championships, which incorporates the New York Challenge, are held every three years. The next world championships will be held in Germany in 2026.