Seldén Mast and the International 470 Class Association announce partnership
by International 470 Class Association 6 Aug 11:56 BST
470 fleet © International 470 Class Association
Supporting the next generation of 470 sailors through equipment awards at World, European and Junior Championships
Seldén Mast, the world's leading manufacturer of spars and rigging systems for performance sailing, is proud to announce a new partnership with the International 470 Class Association aimed at supporting sailor development and widening access to competitive sailing opportunities around the world.
The International 470 Class has long been recognised as a key pathway for sailors progressing to the highest levels of the sport, including Olympic competition. Through this partnership, Seldén and the Class Association will work together to identify opportunities to strengthen participation, encourage talent development and reduce barriers to entry for ambitious athletes around the world.
As part of the partnership, Seldén will provide a package of equipment prizes to be awarded at the 470 World Championship, 470 European Championship and 470 Junior Championship, where they will help recognise and support promising sailors and teams within the class.
Beyond rewarding performance on the water, the programme is designed to contribute to the long-term growth of the class by helping young sailors and competitors from emerging sailing nations gain access to high-quality equipment.
Steve Norbury, Managing Director of Seldén Mast UK, said: "The 470 is one of sailing's most successful and respected international classes, with a proud Olympic heritage and a strong focus on developing sailors for the future. Many of the world's best sailors have spent important years of their career in the 470.
We are delighted to support the class and its athletes through this partnership. By providing equipment awards at the World, European and Junior World Championships, we hope to make a meaningful contribution to sailors who are striving to progress in the sport. We are particularly excited about working with the class to support young sailors and competitors from emerging sailing nations, helping them access the equipment and opportunities needed to fulfil their potential."
Igor Marenic, President of the International 470 Class Association, said: "We are delighted to welcome Seldén as a partner of the International 470 Class. Seldén has been synonymous with quality, innovation and performance for many years, and their products are trusted throughout the sailing world."
This partnership is especially valuable because it aligns with one of our key objectives: supporting sailors on their development journey. The equipment awards will be a significant benefit for athletes and nations where access to high-performance equipment can make a genuine difference. Together with Seldén, we look forward to creating opportunities that help strengthen and grow the global 470 community."
The equipment prizes will be allocated at the discretion of the International 470 Class Association, enabling the awards to be used strategically to support sailors, teams and national programmes where they can deliver the greatest developmental impact.
Alongside the equipment programme, Seldén and the International 470 Class will collaborate on promotional and technical initiatives throughout the year, sharing knowledge and highlighting success stories from within the international 470 community.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to excellence, participation and the continued development of one of sailing's most successful and internationally recognised two-person dinghy classes.