Classes combine

The 420 and 470 fleets are going to hold their joint Youth European Championship in Medemblik

From 8 - 16 August 2007, the combined 420 and 470 Youth European Championships will be sailed in Medemblik / Netherlands. Worldwide, the 420 is one of the most important youth training boats and the 470 has an Olympic status. Many of today’s top 470 sailors learned the tricks of double handed boats in a 420. Both classes are represented in various countries and therefore the organization expects a strong fleet. Valk Welding, supplier of products and services in the field of industrial robotics and welding techniques, is the official Event Partner.

Valk Welding draws a parallel between competitive sailing for youth and the company’s opinion about internal training of young employees. “To be successful in sports, you need a mix of perseverance, passion and ambition”, says Remco H. Valk, General Director of Valk Welding and enthusiastic sailor himself. “Of course in combination with technique, which is continually subject to innovations. Those elements, together with the aspect of racing strategy, fit perfectly with the philosophy and working method of the Valk Welding organization.”

After last year’s inaugural combined 420 and 470 Youth Europeans in Portugal, the Netherlands are the second country to organize the event. For the national 420 and 470 class organizations, it is a new milestone in joining forces. According to Hessel Evertse, Top Sailing Co-ordinator of the Royal Netherlands Sailing Federation, the championships are also a crucial link within their total approach: “It fits our approach: education of top talents, delivery of top performances and organizing top events in the Netherlands.” Dutch and foreign young potentials will have the chance to compete on an international level on the IJsselmeer in the Netherlands. Some of them might participate in the 470 Worlds in 2010, hosted by the Netherlands as well. “We work on continuity and these Youth Europeans form an excellent beginning of the whole line,” commented Evertse.

Participation is open to countries from all over the World. It is limited to the age of 18 for the 420, with a maximum number of entries per country. For the 470 the age limit is 21 and the number of teams per country is unlimited. The event will be held off the International Sailing Center Medemblik (ISCM) at the Regatta Center complex.

Both national class organizations and the Royal Netherlands Sailing Federation consider the 420 and 470 Youth Europeans as an important step in the process of developing double handed dinghy sailing towards an Olympic level. Many of today’s 470 top sailors started their career in the 420, like double 470 World Champion Lobke Berkhout (NED). She also won silver in the 420 at the ISAF Youth Worlds Championships in 1997 and 1998. The current generation of youth teams may move on to the Olympic stage of 2012 or later.