June 6th, 2023.
The International One Metre International Class Association has officially announced, The Australian Radio Yachting Association (ARYA) as the hosts of the International One Metre Class World Championships, to be held in Gladstone, Queensland, in October 2024.
ARYA President Andrew Reid acknowledged the efforts of the ARYA World Championship Working Group in preparing the Australian bid. “The Australian Radio Yachting Association is thrilled to announce that the 2024 International One Metre World Championships have been awarded to Australia. "The ARYA would like to acknowledge the support provided by the Gladstone Ports Corporation and the Gladstone Regional Council. Their backing of the event is pivotal to the success of the submission and to the event itself”, said Mr Reid. It’s a popular misconception that the International One Metre Yacht design (IOM) is a model or toy. The IOM is a stand-alone registered and governed class of yacht, internationally recognised and raced in over 30 countries by thousands of sailors. Matt Burnett, Mayor of the Gladstone Region, is thrilled with the decision.
“As far as I am aware, this will be the first world championship sporting event to be held in the city - ever, and I can’t wait for the competitors and their families from around the globe to descend on the region and sample our local hospitality and enthusiasm”, Mayor Burnett said. IOMICA commended the bid prepared by an ARYA-appointed working group that worked closely with the Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) to prepare the submission using Gladstone Marina as the venue for the event and commended the ARYA for such a professional and genuinely exciting bid. Gladstone Ports Corporation Chief Executive Officer Craig Haymes said GPC are thrilled to hear the news and is looking forward to hosting the event in their pristine Marina Parklands.
“We look forward to working with IOMICA and ARYA as we welcome the world to our Gladstone Marina Parklands. It’s going to be fantastic to have international competitors racing in Gladstone for the first time,” Mr Haymes said.
Radio-controlled racing stands proudly as one of the few truly inclusive sports where men and women compete on equal terms, regardless of age or physical attributes, and as such, only one Open World Championship Event is held every two years.
Australian skippers have participated in numerous World Championship events held overseas and now will have the opportunity to host this prestigious event on their home waters.
