Llucmajor (Mallorca, Spain), 25th February 2024 – On Saturday night the spectacular Claustre de Sant Bonaventura in Llucmajor hosted the official presentation of the 470 World Championship, which will bring together 64 teams of 27 nationalities at the Club Nàutic S’Arenal until the 3rd March.
The event was presided over by the Mayoress of Llucmajor, Xisca Lascolas, and was attended by the President of Club Nàutic S’Arenal (CNA), José Ramón Picó; the President of the Federación Balear de Vela (FBV), Catalina Darder; the Vice President of the Real Feederación Española de Vela (RFEV), Joaquín González; and the President of the 470 Class, Andreas Kosmatopoulos.
José Ramón Picó highlighted the importance of this World Championship and the special relationship between the club and the 470 Class: “More than two decades ago, in 1998, the Club Nàutic S’Arenal organised a 470 World Championship. It was a historic moment for the club, and since then the 470 class and the CNA have developed a strong bond. We must not forget that this class has given us great Spanish sailors with Olympic medals, such as Jordi Calafat, Theresa Zabell and Natalia Vía Dufresne. The CNA becomes the epicentre of world sailing, and it is an opportunity to celebrate our passion for the sea and the sport. It will also be the first Olympics where men and women will share a boat in the 470 as a sign of the evolution of our sport.”
Andreas Kosmatopoulos thanked the organisers: “I would like to thank the local authorities, and especially Club Nàutic S’Arenal, not only for hosting us, but also for their hospitality. This event will decide four tickets to the Games, so it is especially important. Among the crews that will compete for this World Championship are the Olympic champions of Paris 2024.”
For her part, Xisca Lascolas highlighted the international projection of the event: “I am proud as mayoress that the CNA is hosting a world event of these characteristics; that our sea and our bay become the epicentre of this competition with athletes from 27 countries who will compete not only to become the best in the world, but also for those last Olympic places for the Paris Games.” The Mayoress of Llucmajor was in charge of officially opening the 2024 World Championship: “I declare this 470 World Championship open.”
The event ended with a performance of the ball de bot, a traditional Mallorcan dance, in the setting of the Claustre de Sant Bonaventura, a 17th century building considered to be the most important civil monument in Llucmajor.
The 470 World Championship will feature 64 crews of 27 nationalities, and will select the last Olympic spots in the 470 class for Africa, South America, North America and Europe.
The 470 World Championship will kick off on Monday, 26 February, with the official training regatta. The points distribution will start at 12:00 on Tuesday, 27 February. After three days of qualifying races and two days of Final Series, the top ten teams will decide the title in the Medal Race on the sixth and final day of competition, Sunday 3 March.
The 470 World Championship 2024 is organised by the CNA, the International 470 Class Association, the Real Federación Española de Vela and the Federación Balear de Vela, with the support of the Govern de les Illes Balears, the Consell Insular de Mallorca and the Ajuntament de Llucmajor.
More information, at www.2024worlds.470.org
