2016 Optimist European Championships – set for Crotone, Italy

by Elena Giolai-Immagine and Comunicazione on 21 Oct 2015 A year ago, after the candidacy and the official granting of the Optimist European Championships to Italy in Argentina, specifically to the Sailing Club in Crotone, Club Velico Crotone. Today, during the EXPO MILAN, symbol of an efficient Italy, projected beyond national borders came the presentation of the event along with the Italian Sailing Federation, the Italian Optimist Class Association and Kinder + Sport. Presentation is scheduled from the 15th to 22nd of July 2016. A project dedicated to young people, the theme being the 'Joy of moving', whose multi-sport exhibition area of 3,600 m3, hosted the press.

There are now less than nine months to go for the Optimist European Championships (the very first boat for children up to 15 years of age, who are ready to learn how to navigate on a sailboat) organized in Calabria next July with much enthusiasm, hard work and just a pinch of pride, being the first time that a Continental Optimist Championship will be organized in Southern Italy.

The numerously qualified participants of at least 300 sailors from all over the world, thanks to the formula 'OPEN' Championships: with the confirmed participation of the United States, Brazil, Canada, Singapore; dozens of teams that will festively invade the city of Crotone and will battle on the waters of the Ionian Sea, home to the scene of major sailing since the days of Ancient Greece. The young sailing club, born just three years ago, in a short time, has been able to gain the trust of the highest Sailing authorities, demonstrating organizational skills coupled with warm impeccable hospitality, to say the least. The race course is very technical and sometimes characterized by strong north wind and waves, conditions well appreciated by yachtsmen who have compared Crotone to 'Auckland' or 'La Rochelle' Italian, hence the slogan 'City of Sailing 'adopted by town of Crotone.