Championship participants in Neringa will begin gathering on July 14. Until the start of the competition, the best young sailors in the world will train in the Curonian Lagoon, get acquainted with the water area, and get used to the local wind and wave conditions.
Delegations from 24 countries will arrive in Nida and Juodkrantė – from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa to Hong Kong, Singapore, the United States, and Turkey. More than 200 yachts will compete for the European youth champion titles in the 420 and 470 yacht classes.
“Such a number of participants and geography is not only a historic event for Lithuanian sailing but also a huge recognition for Neringa. Such championships do not happen by chance – they are determined by long-standing sailing traditions, suitable natural conditions, accumulated organizational experience, and people ready to host top-level competitions. I believe this championship will further strengthen Neringa on the international sailing map,” says Darius Jasaitis, Mayor of Neringa Municipality.
For Neringa sailors, 420 and 470 class yachts are well known – their sailing traditions in the resort have been nurtured for several decades. Local residents and guests will be able to closely watch the top-level young athletes’ battles. The 470 class is Olympic, so during the championship, athletes who will compete for Olympic medals in a few years will start in Nida.
This will be the third world-class sailing event organized in Nida in recent years. In 2023, the Olympic 470 class youth world championship was held here, in 2024 – the Deaf Sailing World Championship, and this year Nida hosts the European 420 and 470 class youth championship. Such events strengthen Neringa’s reputation as an international sailing center.
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The highest competition level will also be ensured by an experienced panel of judges. The chief competition judge is Michał Jodłowski from Poland. Of the 14 official championship judges, 13 hold the international “World Sailing” category.
The championship is organized by the Lithuanian 470 Association, Neringa Municipality, and Neringa Sports School. The event is partially funded by Neringa Municipality and the National Sports Agency. Championship sponsors are “Samsonas,” “Kärcher,” and “Sportland.”
The solemn opening ceremony of the championship will take place on July 21 on the roof terrace of the Nida Culture and Tourism Information Center “Agila,” followed by a week of racing, finishing on July 27.
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Championship by the numbers
216 yachts – 420 and 470 (Olympic) classes
440 participants from 24 countries and 4 continents
July 14 – start of training week in Nida
July 21 – solemn opening on the terrace of Nida KTIC “Agila”
July 21–27 – competitions in the Curonian Lagoon near Nida