Youth || More than 360 young sailors from around the globe descended on Tavira last weekend for the start of the 44th Annual Youth World Sailing Championships.
A record number of 67 nations were set to compete in five classes across eight events in the crystal clear waters off Tavira Island.
The championships were formally opened by ISAF President, Carlo Croce, in Tavira’s historic main square on Sunday evening.
The traditional ‘Mixing of the Waters’ followed, symbolising the gathering of all the sailors from around the world. The 67 countries brought bottles of water from the lakes and seas from their home nation and poured them into a jug before the water was transferred into the Portuguese waters.
ISAF President Carlo Croce, Chairman of the Organising Committee João Pedro Rodrigues, Mayor of Tavira Jorge Botelho, Portuguese Sailing Federation President José Manuel Leandro and Secretary of State for Sport and Youth Emídio Guerreiro welcomed the young hopefuls.
Carlo Croce said: “I thank all of you for coming here from around the world. This event encourages the values of the International Olympic Committee. We see the environment, accessibility, universality, fair play and good comradeship for all as being the main concepts of the organisation.”
Races in the various classes started on Monday and conclude today (Friday).
By CHRIS WRIGHT
