The United Kingdom has been selected to host next year’s joint Nacra 17, 49er and 49er FX European Championships.
The high-adrenaline event – scheduled to take place from May 13 to 19 at the London 2012 sailing venue Weymouth and Portland’s National Sailing Academy – will be the first time since the 2016 Sailing World Cup Finals that the UK has hosted a major International Olympic Classes event.
UK Sport has provided National Lottery funding for the regatta, and WPNSA will act as host to deliver the event on behalf of the Nacra 17, 49er and 49er FX classes.
The joint European Championships will be a key regatta in the Tokyo 2020 cycle with a number of nations counting it towards team selection for the upcoming Olympic Games.
Crucially the regatta will continue the legacy of London 2012, offering world-class racing and shining a spotlight on WPNSA’s excellent facilities and organisation.
President of the International 49er and Nacra 17 Class Associations Marcus Spillane said the three classes were thrilled to be returning to Weymouth and Portland.
“It is a fantastic place to sail, with unparalleled facilities and a volunteer base steeped in Olympic sailing,” Spillane said. “The London 2012 regatta brought out the best of what sailing can be and we expect more of that in 2019 for our European Championship.”
Ian Walker, the RYA’s Director of Racing, said:
“These are the three fastest, most exciting Olympic Classes and this gives us a wonderful opportunity to showcase Olympic sailing to the British media and help inspire many young sailors of the future.”
Racing will take place on four course areas – one inside of Portland Harbour and three in Weymouth Bay. The final three days of the regatta will be broadcast live.
A warm-up regatta for the classes will be held at WPNSA from May 4-6.
In the 2018 Nacra 17/49er/49erFX European Championship in Gdynia, Poland Diego Botín and Iago López Marra from Portugal won in the 92-boat 49er fleet, while Norway’s Helene Naess and Marie Ronningen won the 36-boat 49er class. Meanwhile Italy’s Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti finished top of the 31-boat Nacra 17 fleet.