ISAF has announced the first two of the six venues that will host ISAF Sailing World Cup Regattas from 2013 onward starting with the European events: Hyeres, France (2013-2014), Palma, Mallorca, Spain (2013-2014). Following a bid process, an ISAF appointed evaluation panel advised the Executive Committee on the bids received on factors including sailing conditions, venue infrastructure and facilities, organisation and financial resources.

Göran Petersson, ISAF President, said, “Taking all the factors into consideration we have selected two strong events in this initial stage to take the ISAF Sailing World Cup forward.

“We received strong bids from all the existing European events who have helped us grow the ISAF Sailing World Cup to what it is today. I am confident that both Hyeres and Palma will continue to develop, playing a key role in the future Cup circuit.”

Events in Asia, Africa/Middle East, the Americas and Oceania will go on to make the full compliment of the six-regatta circuit and further announcements on these events will be made in due time.

The ISAF Sailing World Cup was launched in December 2008 and brings together the world’s leading Olympic sailors. Today’s news marks the first step in the Cup’s development on its way to becoming a truly world circuit of events.