THE “best kept secret” of a small coastal sailing club will burst into the international spotlight after Jervoise Bay Sailing Club won the right to host the Formula 18 World Championships.

Vice Commodore Anthony Harrison said the successful bid was the result of passion, persistence and the right conditions.

The championship, kicking off January 27, features what the club describes as the world’s fastest beach catamarans.

Mr Harrison said the club was uniquely placed to host the fleet.

• Jervoise Bay is one of sailing’s best-kept secrets.

“We’re the right size to host that number of vessels and the area of water off the shore where we are – facing Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club – is typically flat and very windy,” he said.

Racing is expected to be visible from shore: “I understand it’s probably going to be about 400 m will be the closest it comes to the club,” Mr Harrison said.Founded in 1976 by shipyard workers south of Woodman Point, the club later relocated to its current site and evolved into a predominantly multihull sailing club. Despite its long history, Mr Harrison said it had flown under the radar.

“Yeah, it’s kind of a little bit of a best kept secret we’re trying to change,” he said.

“It was a kind of a working man’s club that later shifted to its current location but we race throughout summer on Sundays.”

Beyond the spectacle, Mr Harrison said the club hoped the event would help attract younger sailors.

“To be blunt, we’re kind of an ageing population,” he said.

“We’re kind of looking towards the youth.

“We’re also looking for agreements with other sporting club such as netball clubs which we’re targeting at the minute, to have a come and try sailing,” he said.

The scale of the 2026 event is expected to be significant for the volunteer-run club.

by STEVE GRANT