The 2017 470 Open European Championship kicks off for the two-person Olympic dinghy for men and women, according to the Monaco Yacht Club. Following Round Three of the Sailing World Cup in Hyères, teams have headed for the Principality.
The provisional entry list features 90 teams representing 25 nations, and 14 of these teams competed at the Rio 2016 Olympics. The Yacht Club claims that this is an unprecedented gathering in the Principality.
YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri commented: “After organising the first J/70 European Championship in October 2015, then the Monaco Europa Cup in December 2016, this regatta is a perfect illustration of the competitive sailing policy our President HSH Prince Albert II wants to see in action.”
The Yacht Club de Monaco is fast establishing itself as an organiser of high level events thanks to its new facilities, designed by Lord Foster, to host regattas by organising an international meeting in collaboration with World Sailing at least once a year. The 2,000 members from 68 nationalities who are the lifeblood of the Club love it, as many are involved in the smooth running of these events in the “Flotte des Commissaires”.
Sunday saw the warm-up race and the competition starts in earnest on Monday, May 8 at midday. Qualifying stages continue through Thursday, May 11, with more Qualifying and Final stages on Friday. The Medal Race will take place on Saturday, May 13, with a closing ceremony at 7 pm. (Source and image: Monaco Yacht Club.)