Turkey Presented as Host of 2010 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Chmapionships

by Sophie Luther

The Atakoy Marina in Istanbul, Turkey was presented as the host venue for the 2010 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship last week during the 2009 championship recently concluded in Buzios, Brazil,.

Istanbul 2010 will mark the 40th edition of the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship, the world’s top youth sailing event, with over 300 young sailors from 60-plus nations expected to attend. Competition will take place from 8-17 July across eight events, open to competitors younger than 19 years on 31 December 2010. Many previous winners of the Youth Worlds have gone on to become sailing superstars such as Volvo Ocean Race winner Stuart Bannatyne (NZL), triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie (GBR) and three-time America’s Cup winning skipper Russell Coutts (NZL).

Nazli Imre (TUR), Vice-President of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and President of the Turkish Sailing Federation, said: “The Turkish Sailing Federation is honoured to be hosting this special anniversary edition of the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship and welcoming so many talented young sailors to Istanbul.

“Thanks to the support of Dati Holding AS, we have a magnificent venue at the Atakaoy Marina, whilst the Sheraton Atakoy and Atakoy Marina Hotel will provide exceptional facilities for the competitors, coaches, officials and everyone else involved in the championship. Our unique location, where Asia and Europe converge, makes this the perfect occasion to bring together different cultures, promoting understanding and friendship through sport.”

Preparations for the 2010 championship have been underway since Istanbul was chosen as host venue by ISAF’s Youth World Championship Sub-committee in 2006. As part of that process and to ensure a smooth transfer of knowledge, a delegation from the 2010 Organizing Committee has been in attendance at this year’s Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship, which took place from 918 July in Buzios, Brazil. Last Wednesday night the 2010 team had the opportunity to reveal their plans and Event Director Sevda Erensel gave a packed audience of sailors and coaches a presentation on next’s year championship.

Erensel said: “This year we are having a fantastic time in Buzios and I promise the same for next year in Istanbul. In Istanbul we have fantastic weather for sailing and it will be a lifetime experience for all the sailors who attend. My message to all young sailors is we are waiting to welcome you to Istanbul.”

Istanbul 2010 will be the first time the championship has been held in Turkey, the 23rd nation to host the event. It will also be the first Youth Worlds to consist of eight events, with the new Open High Performance Dinghy – 29er event set to make its debut.

The full line up of events and equipment is:

Boy’s One Person Dinghy – Laser Radial
Boy’s Two Person Dinghy – 420
Boy’s Windsurfer – RS:X
Girl’s One Person Dinghy – Laser Radial
Girl’s Two Person Dinghy – 420
Girl’s Windsurfer – RS:X
Open Multihull – Sirena SL16
Open High Performance Dinghy – 29er

The venue for the championship will be the Atakoy Marina, located on the European Coast of Istanbul at the southern end of the Bosphorus Strait. The Marina falls within the Bakırköy district of Istanbul, and is very well connected being just 8km from Atatürk International Airport. In 2010 Istanbul wi ll also be the joint European Capital of Culture.

The racing area will be the Marmara Sea. The predominant wind conditions in July are winds from the north east at a speed between 10 and 15 knots. Temperatures vary between 25ºC and 30ºC during the day and around 20ºC at night time. The sea water temperature in the summer is between 23ºC and 25ºC.

Full details on entry procedures, the 2010 Athlete Participation Programme and the Notice of Race for the 2010 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship will be published on the championship website http://www.isafyouthworlds.com/ and sent out to ISAF Member National Authorities (MNA) later this year.

Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships