JJ Gilitinan Trophy to be held in Europe in 2009

by Patrick Chanez 4 Mar 2008 15:22 GMT

The European 18 foot skiff class association begins the year with two major announcements: The publication of the European Grand-Prix 2008 schedule, including three new venues; and the news that the JJ Gilitinan International Championship will be held in in Europe for the first time ever in 2009. Considered the unofficial World Championship of the class this event has until now been sailed on Sydney Harbour. In 2009 this competition will be held in Carnac, from the 27th to the 5th July and the best Australian, New Zealand and American teams already confirmed their presence.

The European teams will have to use the 2008 regattas to prepare themself for this exceptional event. The fleet will first head to the well known Campione, on Lake Garda. This is a perfect venue for warming up before the European Championships, to be sailed just two weeks later at a brand new venue, Six-Fours, in the south of France. During this event the european fleet will be joined by a number of teams from Australia and the US.

The fleet will then have a full british week. The continental teams will first join the UK fleet for their Nationals in Weymouth, the sailing location of the Olympic games 2012 before moving to the mecca of UK Sailing, the Solent, sailing from Hamble Point.

The 2008 tour will end in Dongo, on Lake Como where the 18s will join the Skiffs Festival, an open skiffs event.

The only confirmed destination for 2009 is obviously Carnac. Thanks to the collaboration of the European and UK class during the discussion with the League, the JJ will be raced for the first time in Europe and will probably gather the biggest 18' fleet we have ever seen.

The organization of this event will present a great challenge for the class and the Yacht Club of Carnac, but will help the class to continue its development in Europe.