Keppel Bay Sailing Club ‘the perfect venue’ for 2032 Olympic sailing

A popular Central Qld sporting club that has long hosted national and state competitions hopes to go global as it steps forward with a bid to host an Olympic event.

Keppel Bay Sailing Club are putting their sails to the wind in a bid to bring the 2032 Olympics Sailing competition to the Capricorn Coast.

Keppel Bay Sailing Club (KBSC) is putting its sails to the wind in a bid to bring the 2032 Olympics sailing competition to the Capricorn Coast, with the backing of Capricornia MP Michelle Landry and Keppel MP Nigel Hutton.

The popular club for all ages has recently been successful in winning the bid to host the 2026/27 O’Pen Skiff World Titles where they will host up to 200 sailors from across Europe and their support teams.

The competition adds to the list of regattas and significant world, national and state sailing events it has hosted and now they are putting their hand up to lead the sailing element of the 2032 Olympics.

Keppel Bay Sailing Club manager Malcolm Cochrane, Keppel MP Nigel Hutton and Capricornia MP Michelle Landry.

Ms Landry said the former Coalition Government’s investment of $25 million into the Keppel Bay Sailing Club had brought immense economic benefit to the region.

“The construction of the Keppel Bay Sailing Club created plenty of jobs and is now boosting hospitality and tourism for the entire Capricorn Coast,” Ms Landry said.

“Let’s keep this momentum going and realise the potential this club has in supporting the 2032 Olympic sailing.

“We can’t let this opportunity slip, the Sailing Club is the perfect venue for such an event.”

Mr Hutton said Keppel Bay Sailing Club had everything needed to offer a world class competition on the Capricorn Coast, from skilled sailing staff and volunteers to a world class venue.

Keppel Bay Sailing Club are putting their sails to the wind in a bid to bring the 2032 Olympics Sailing competition to the Capricorn Coast.

“Our weather, location and facilities make our region the perfect candidate to host the 2032 Olympic sailors,” Mr Hutton said.

“The floor to ceiling view of Keppel Bay could not be better from the newly rebuilt clubhouse allowing spectators air-conditioned comfort while they have a bird’s eye view of the competition.

“Athletes and their support crews will be treated to the magic of what Central Queensland has on offer and we have more than adequate capacity to welcome visitors who are sure to want to be part of such an historic event.”

Keppel MP Nigel Hutton, Keppel Bay Sailing Club sailing operations manager Sophie Baynton, Rear Commodore Frances Grueger, Commodore Sandra Byrt, manager Malcolm Cochrane and Capricornia MP Michelle Landry.

KBSC sailing operations manager Sophie Baynton said the successful bid for the O’Pen Skiff World Titles would be a precursor for the Olympics competition.

“The opportunity to host the competition will spread the word to the world of exactly what we have to offer,” she said.

“The world titles will also further upskill our volunteers and other race officials in preparation for the 2032 Olympics.

“As the O’Pen Skiff World titles is a junior class, we expect there is every chance many of these sailors will be part of the 2032 Olympics competition for their respective countries.”

The KBSC is not the only local sporting group that hopes to host an Olympic water sports event.

There are hopes to host the Olympic rowing and canoeing on the Fitzroy River in a submission advocates argue would save the state $100m and boost regional Queensland.

Queensland Senator Matt Canavan is spearheading the push endorsed by Central Queensland politicians for the 100-day infrastructure review to move the event some 560km from Wyaralong Dam to the Fitzroy River.

But it has not been well-received by Rowing Queensland, with the chief executive officer stating the Fitzroy could not deliver the “post-Games heartland”.

The review is due to report on its findings by March 8.

Originally published as Keppel Bay Sailing Club ‘the perfect venue’ for 2032 Olympic sailing