Over 250 young sailors from 53 countries will descend on Gdynia, Poland, on 8 July 2004, to compete in the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship, universally recognised as the Olympics of youth sailing.

The sailors, all under the age of 19, will compete in four disciplines, Laser (Boys & Girls) 420 (Boys & Girls) Mistral (Boys & Girls) and Hobie-Cat (boys), for the eventual acclamation of ‘World Champion’.

Nations will also compete for the Volvo Trophy, awarded to the team scoring the most points during the Championship. However, with some countries only able to send teams of just one sailor, such as Samoa’s Laser sailor Milroy Blake, whilst others, such as Australia, France and the USA, can field full teams of 10, the Volvo Trophy will inevitably be fought out amongst the ‘big boys’.

Volvo have sponsored the World Youth Sailing Championship since 1998, as part of a global sailing strategy that, whilst culminating every four years in the Volvo Ocean Race, also supports grass roots sailing.

Chief Executive of the Volvo Ocean Race, Glenn Bourke says; “Our sailing strategy has always been to provide the broadest possible support, from grass roots club events through the elite youth squads to the very pinnacle of our sport – The Volvo Ocean Race.”

A thriving port city, Gdynia, is known as the Capital of Polish Sailing and is no stranger to staging major sailing events, which range from hosting a stopover for the Cutty Sark Race in 2003 to the annual Sail Gdynia regattas. With the modern marina offering not just ideal mooring facilities but a full range of support services for the visiting sailor.

Official Championship Website: www.worldyouthsailingpoland.com