Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship - Preview

by Megan Seton on 13 Nov 2000 World's Best Youth Sailors Head to Sydney for Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship

The premier sailing event for the world's best youth sailors, The Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship 2000
will be held on Sydney Harbour between 29 December 2000 and 5 January 2001.

The event was launched on Manly Beach today by NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation, John Watkins MP and
Managing Director of Volvo Car Australia, Jan Eriksson.

In excess of 243 athletes from 34 countries are expected in Sydney over the Christmas and New Year period to
compete in both boys' and girls' classes, ranging from the Olympic Mistral Windsurfing Class, through to the
double-handed 420 Class.

Organised by the Yachting Association of New South Wales, the event is being hosted by the Royal Sydney Yacht
Squadron and Manly Yacht Club. The Organising Committee have had the enthusiastic support of Manly Council
throughout the planning for the event. Other local Manly businesses have also been very supportive, including the
International College of Tourism and Hotel Management, who will accommodate the competitors for the duration of
the regatta.

'It's been a very successful year for sport in Australia and this event will be a fitting finale,' said John Watkins MP,
NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation. 'I am delighted to welcome the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World
Championships to Sydney and I wish all competitors the very best of luck.'

The Youth Worlds have been the starting block for many of the world's most successful sailors, including 2000
Olympic Gold Medallist Ben Ainslie of the UK who won the Gold Medal at the Youth Worlds in 1995. Australia's own
Neville Wittey is also a veteran of the Youth Worlds.

“It will be an honour to welcome these talented young sportsmen and women to Australia” said Mr Jan Eriksson,
Managing Director, Volvo Car Australia. “The Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship is a key element in our
global sailing sponsorship strategy, which also includes the Volvo Ocean Race, the world's premier global yacht
race, which will arrive in Sydney early December 2001 for a three week stopover before restarting with the Sydney to
Hobart Yacht Race.

'It has long been Volvo’s policy to not only support elite, high profile events, but wherever possible to make a real
contribution to the development of the sport, by supporting activity at a grass roots level, and particularly with young
people. We are therefore looking forward to some spectacular racing and wish all competitors the very best of luck.”

Australia has celebrated many successes at this event in the past. Most recently, Michael Lancey was the Silver
Medallist in the Mistral Class in 1999, whilst Western Australia's Nicolas Bryant and Sam Gill took the Bronze
Medal in the 420 class. Our last Gold Medal at this event was won in 1998 when Lisa Charlson and Sarah
Roberts-Thompson took first place in the 420 class.

Racing will take place on Sydney Harbour, the venue for the Olympic and Paralympic sailing regattas. Racing will be
held on courses between Manly and Rose Bay. However, unlike the Olympic regatta, exclusion zones will not be in
force for this event.

'We're appealing to the boating public to assist us throughout this period by staying clear of the racing areas,' said
Chairman of the Organising Committee, Brian Tyquin. 'This is a major event on the international sailing calendar and
we hope the Sydney public will make the most of the holiday period and come out and view the high level of racing
demonstrated by these young people.

'Hosting such an event in Sydney is great for sailing. We have a high level of youth development in this country, and
we can only hope that by showcasing such high standard youth racing we will encourage more young people to get
into the sport, hence improving our standard of competition even further.'

Course Areas include Manly (vicinity of Dobroyd Head and Quarantine Station), Middle Head (between Balmoral and
Grotto Point), Watsons Bay/Vaucluse Bay and Rose Bay will be a reserve course.

A practice race is scheduled for 1pm on Friday 29 December, with racing starting from 12 noon for the duration of the
regatta (30 Dec - 5 January).