Cadet Europeans at Club De Mar de Almeria, Spain – Preview
by David Elliott 20 Jul 2009 09:15 BST
18-24 July 2009
The UK Cadet team and coaches in Almeria for the European Championships © David Elliott
Today sees the start of racing in this year’s European Championship. Held in years when the World Championships are taking place in the Southern hemisphere, the event has attracted 111 entries from 10 countries. The UK has provided the largest number with 25, closely followed by Spain and Belgium, each with 24. There are also entries from Australia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, and the Ukraine.
A qualifying series of a minimum of four races comprising blue and yellow fleets is scheduled for the first two days. Wednesday has been set aside as a lay day. Gold and Silver fleets will then race for the last two days.
At last night’s Opening Ceremony, the Chairman of the Club De Mar de Almeria, Juan Jose Fernandez Gimenez welcomed over 500 competitors and companions to the club, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary. He thanked the Mayor of Almeria for his support “without which the event would not have been possible”.
Steve Proffitt, Chairman of The International Cadet Class Association thanked the organizers and the Club for hosting the event. His message to competitors was “sail hard, sail fair and enjoy yourselves”.
The Championship was formally opened by the Mayor of Almeria, Luis Rogelio Rodriguez-Comendador. In thanking the Cadet Class for selecting Almeria as its venue, he explained how the city, which had hosted the Mediterranean Games in 2005, had become “a home to sailing championships” and wished all competitors a good time.