2024 Open Skiff World Championships at Circolo Vela Arco - Preview
by Elena Giolai 26 Jul 2024 20:37 BST
28 July - 2 August 2024
Open Skiff World Championships © Elena Giolai
After the World Sailing Youth World Championships, Garda Trentino is once again the world reference point for youth sailing, this time for the OpenSkiff class, the single-handed dinghy appreciated by the very young because it is fast and manoeuvrable; in a word, fun.
The 302 pre-registered for the World Championship class, from 14 nations (including Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Japan and the USA, as well as many Europeans), are already arriving at Circolo Vela Arco- North lake Garda, with boats, minibuses, trolleys and much, much enthusiasm.
The club chaired by Carlo Pompili, which is organising the event by delegation of the Italian Sailing Federation and in collaboration with the Italian and International Open Skiff class, has scheduled the opening ceremony on Sunday 28 July at 6.30 pm in the old town centre of Arco, with a parade of all participants, coaches and companions, starting from the small Church of San Giuseppe (near the bridge over the Sarca river) to reach the stage located behind the Collegiate Church of Arco.
Among the excellent presences was that of New Zealander Russell Coutts (Olympic gold medallist in Finn, winner of 5 America's Cups and inventor of the Sail GP Circuit), a supporter of OpenSkiff precisely because of the spirit with which the youngsters approach sailing, without competitive extremism. New Zealand is present with no less than 19 athletes and often participates in Italian competitive activities.
The spectacular boat park is positioned on the beach, west of the mouth of the Sarca River, with the young helmsmen ready to take to the water for the practice race on Sunday 28 July at 1pm, while the first official regatta is scheduled for Monday 29 July, again with the first possible start at 1pm. Three categories are involved with under 12, under 15 and under 17. Italy is present with 127 athletes, followed by France (65) and Poland (33). Circolo Vela Arco is fielding a team of 10 athletes, with some youngsters who, in their own category, have what it takes to achieve a brilliant result.
Event website: worlds2024.openskiffclass.org
It will be possible to follow the event through the official social channels Facebook and Instagram of Circolo Vela Arco.