420 World Championships at La Rochelle Overall

THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT AS BRITISH GIRLS TAKE YOUTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES

Christina Bassadone and Helen Mayhew were crowned 420 World Champions last week in La Rochelle, France, beating off competition from 57 teams representing 16 nations. A greater achievement due to this being an open championship (no age limit) and Christina and Helen being just 19 and 16 respectively.

The last British Woman to win this title was Kathy Foster in 1978, Kathy went on to represent Great Britain at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games becoming the first Women's helmsman to compete at the Olympics in a mixed class.

Charlotte Odell (18) and Susie Webber were the top girls at the inaugural 29er World Championships held in Lake Garda, also last week. Finishing 22nd overall in an open fleet of 60 boats that included star 49er crews and the boats designer Julian Bethwaite, the British pairing showed great maturity to take the Women's Trophy.

Katie Archer (18) was sailing the single handed Laser Radial at the Youth Worlds in Turkey. In a fleet of 127 boats Katie finished first female & 42nd overall with fellow Brit Bonnie Holt (18) winning the silver fleet and being 2nd female overall. Katie has become the most successful female Laser Radial sailor Britain has produced and hopes next year to try her hand at the Olympic single-handed Europe class.

With the disappointment of no British Women 470 sailors reaching the IOC qualification criteria for this year Olympic Games, the future certainly looks bright for Women's sailing at the 2004 Olympics with new talent already rising to the top level of International sailing.

Youth Manager Steve Joel was overjoyed with the girls performance "This is great for the girls, they have been totally focused all year towards the World Championships and they have received their just rewards. I hope these results will encourage more girls into sailing, the future certainly looks bright."

With this years introduction of the £1 Million Sport England & Volvo UK Ltd funded Youth Sailing Initiative the girls can expect the best coaching and support services available in youth sport today to move forward to the 2004 Olympics.

Overall results, 420 World Championships, La Rochelle, 9 races, 2 discards:

420 - Women:
 1st Christina Bassadone & Helen Mayhew  GBR
 2nd Altani Danezi & Evagelia Vlachov    GRE
 3rd Elena Ziliani & Alessand Marenzi    ITA
Other British placings
12th Gemma Frier & Sophie Esson
21st Victoria & Emma Rawlinson           
22nd Nicky Barnes & Kate Sanders
28th Caroline Litchfield & Katie Graves
32nd Gemma Farrell & Joanna Allen

420 - Men:
 1st Mathew & Daniel Belcher             AUS
 2nd Luca Bursic & Thomas Jacob          ITA
 3rd Mileos Michalis & Polighronidis     GRE
British placings:
30th Nic Asher & Paul Davies
31st Elliot Willis and Sam Richmond

More Information:

YachtsandYachting.com 420 Page
• UK 420 Class Association
• Jo Grindley at the RYA Email: jo.grindley@rya.org.uk