Over 400 athletes
According to the competition organizer – Antanas Juodsnukis, president of the Lithuanian 470 class yacht association – this championship stands out from all other sailing events due to the large number of athletes and the high qualification of international judges.
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The battle on the water is yet to come, but on shore, new acquaintances and friendships are already brewing, accompanied by unexpected encounters with the nature of the Curonian Spit. The invitation from Neringa Mayor Darius Jasaitis, heard at the opening ceremony, to return to Nida for a holiday was met with ovations.
Before focusing on the races, more than 400 athletes planted a young forest in the woods next to the Parnidis Dune. The nature of Neringa left an indelible impression on the young athletes from southern countries.
Lithuanians and a strong international fleet
Tomorrow, 40 crews will line up at the starting line of the Olympic 470 class. Among them are Lithuanians Benas Šapkinas and Augustė Žukauskaitė, as well as the newly crowned world youth champions in Gdynia, Lisa Vucetti and Vittorio Bonifacio.
“This will be our first serious competition in this class,” says helmsman Benas Šapkinas. “I don’t promise the best results, but we promise to try our best.”
In the more numerous pro-Olympic 420 class, 172 crews will compete. The crew of Asta Aperavičiūtė and Marius Timofejevas will defend Lithuania’s honor here.
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“Very strong competitors await us, the best crews in the world. We hope our boats and equipment will hold up,” ponders nineteen-year-old Asta Aperavičiūtė.
Crew member Marius Timofejevas also promises not to let the sails flutter: “I hope we do well and won’t be last.”
Race schedule
The first starts for both classes are scheduled for Wednesday, July 22, and by Monday, crews will compete in twelve races. Throughout the championship, highly variable, unstable medium-strength winds are expected.
“The forecasts are good, there will be wind. Most likely, we will have the sailing conditions favored in the United Kingdom, so I would like to see my athletes at the front of the fleet, and perhaps even on the awards podium,” says British 420 yacht class team coach Tim Rush.
The final races in the medal series will take place on Monday. After them, the champions of the Olympic 470 yacht class and the 420 class sailors in several age groups will be determined.
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