Laser Radial World Championships - 600 competitors from 58 countries

by Charlie Rowney on 9 Jul 2010 Laser Radial World Championships is being hosted in Largs from Thursday and hundreds of the world's top sailors have been welcomed to North Ayrshire for the start of the event; the biggest championships ever staged in Scotland, in which almost 600 competitors from 58 different countries will compete.

The official opening ceremony on Thursday (July 8) saw hundreds of international competitors, coaches, event volunteers and Council officials join local residents to march along the town's Main Street, flying an array of flags from around the world.

Competitors include gold, silver and bronze medallists from the Summer 2008 Beijing Olympics - USA's Anna Tunnicliffe (gold), Gintare Scheidt from Lithuania (silver) and China's Lijia Xu (bronze).

Scotland's prospective 2012 Olympic champion Charlotte Dobson will also be among the fleet of 120 boats from 41 nations challenging for the World title in the Olympic Laser Radial Women's class.

The Men's Laser Radial World title is run simultaneously and has drawn a championship fleet of 120 boats from 33 different countries.

North Ayrshire Council Leader, Councillor David O'Neill, said: 'We are absolutely delighted to host such a prestigious event and look forward to this great opportunity to showcase Largs and North Ayrshire to the world.

'With such a fantastic start to the championships, we are sure that everyone competing will enjoy their time in the area and will leave North Ayrshire with fond memories.'

David Campbell-James, the Royal Yachting Association's Competitions Manager, added: 'We have a volunteer team of more than 120 people, including more than 80 who will work on the water, all primed to ensure that Largs and Scotland deliver an event which is run to the highest standard on the water and ashore.'

Racing in the Laser Radial World Championships Men's and Women's titles begins on Friday 9th July with the both finals being held on Wednesday 14th July.

The second week is devoted to sailors under 19 years old. Racing for the Laser Radial Youth World Championship Boys and Girls titles takes place between Tuesday 20th and Sunday 25th July.

For more information, please go to: www.laserworlds2010.co.uk