Final countdown to Youth Worlds

Tuesday 6 July 2010, 13:30 GMT

The world’s top youth sailors are putting the final touches to their preparation for the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship which takes place from 8 – 17 July in Istanbul, Turkey.

A record 344 sailors and 251 boats from 63 countries have registered to compete at the Championship, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The event has been held in 23 countries over the years, but it is the first time Istanbul has played host.

Racing is held across eight events for both boys and girls, using four classes of dinghy and one windsurfer, with 12 races for each class.

Along with the individual events, the prestigious Volvo Trophy, currently held by France, will be awarded to the top performing nation.

Championship Categories

The regatta will be based at Ataköy Marina and there will be three different race courses run simultaneously. Each class has 12 races scheduled. Thursday 8 July is the official arrival day for the championship, followed by the training day and Opening Ceremony on Friday 9 July.

The Opening Ceremony, featuring themes of peace and unity, will take place in Haliç Kongre ve Kültür Merkezi (Haliç Congress and Culture Center). Each team will pour hallowed waters from their homeland into the historic inlet of the Golden Horn.

Practice race day is Saturday 10 July followed by the first official day of racing on Sunday 11 July with a maximum of three races scheduled for all classes. Racing continues on Monday followed by a lay day on Tuesday and a further three days of racing from Wednesday to Friday, 14 - 16 July.

Schedule

Thursday 8 July - Arrival Day
Friday 9 July - Training Day and Opening Ceremony
Saturday 10 July - Practice Day
Sunday 11 July - First Official Race Day (3 raced scheduled)
Monday 12 July - Second Official Race Day (3 races scheduled)
Tuesday 13 July - Lay Day
Wednesday 14 July - Third Official Race Day (3 races scheduled)
Thursday 15 July - Fourth Official Race Day (2 races scheduled)
Friday 16 July - Fifth Official Race Day (1 race scheduled) and Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony
Saturday 17 July - Departure Day

There will be a festival of activities with music and entertainment at the event, while spectators and supporters will be able to watch the racing from the big screen. The races can also be followed live, with detailed online tracking.