ABN AMRO sponsor European Optimist Championship

by Diana Bogaards on 4 Apr 2006 ABN AMRO sponsors the European Championships Optimist 2006, of which the youngsters dream of participation in the Volvo Ocean Race. This youth event takes place from July 21 until 28 in Workum, Netherlands, under the auspices of the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA). The organization expects 250 boys and girls from forty-five to fifty countries, who will compete for the European title.

Jan Berent Heukensfeldt Jansen, Managing Director of Team ABN AMRO in the Volvo Ocean Race, about the sponsorship:

'Team ABN AMRO races around the world with ‘Making More Possible’ in the sails. This key value of the bank was enforced by the selection of young talents for the second boat. The Optimist Europeans link up nicely with this project. Finally, the teenagers are the next generation of high potentials.'

By order of the Optimist Club Nederland, the organization of the ABN AMRO IODA European Championships Optimist is in hands of the Sailing Club of Workum and the foundation Race Organization Optimist Sailing (W.O.O.Z.).

A total of twelve races are scheduled. The IJsselmeer will be the battle field, where the boys and girls will compete in two fleets. They may not be older than fifteen years. Workum is a familiar event’s location for European Optimist sailors, since the Frisian coastal city hosts the annual Dutch Youth Regatta in May.

Qualification:

Every country has its own qualification process in order to decide who will participate in the ABN AMRO IODA Optimist Europeans 2006. The European nations may select seven children, with a maximum of four and a minimum of three boys. The national class organizations overseas receive four permits to start. Host country the Netherlands may fill in fourteen spots.

For more Information, please contact:

Diana Bogaards, press contact ABN AMRO IODA Europeans Optimist 2006
E-mail: diana@diabo.nl