The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has been named co-host of the 2022 World Match Racing Tour Final.

Organisers of the World Match Racing Tour today announced the Final has been re-scheduled to 13-18 December in Sydney, where the 2022 Match Racing World Champion will be crowned. 

Taylor Canfield - centre - and Stars+Stripes Team USA, WMRT Match Racing World Champions 2020. Photo_ Ian Roman-WMRT

The change of venue for the 2022 WMRT Final follows the ongoing border closures in China, where the WMRT Final was previously scheduled to take place in Shenzhen from 6-11 December. 

Strict travel restrictions for international visitors to China have been in place since the start of the global pandemic in 2020.

The event will add to the buzz around the CYCA in the build-up to the 77th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, starting on 26 December. 

"It is extremely exciting for us to partner with the World Match Racing Tour to bring the Finals to the southern hemisphere for the very first time," said CYCA Commodore Arthur Lane.

"The Club has a strong history in hosting world-class sailing events, so adding the World Match Racing Tour to our calendar this December will be very special.

"We look forward to welcoming all the teams to Sydney and to the CYCA."

Up to 12 teams are being invited to the event, including defending match racing world champion Taylor Canfield (Stars + Stripes Team USA) and six-time world champion Ian Williams from Great Britain.

The CYCA's fleet of Elliott 7m Keelboats

The event will be sailed in the CYCA's fleet of Elliott 7m keelboats with crews of four or five. Racing will take place over five days, with a single round robin stage followed by a repechage, Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Final on Sunday 18 December.

"It is unfortunate we have been unable to host the WMRT Final in Shenzhen again this year due to the continued travel restrictions to China," said WMRT Executive Director James Pleasance.

"However, to ensure we can still host the tour final this year, we are very pleased to partner with the CYCA to host the event in Sydney.

"The Club has a great deal of experience in running world class match racing events and sailing conditions in Sydney in December should be ideal as well."

For more information about the World Match Racing Tour, contact info@wmrt.com or visit www.wmrt.com.