60 youth teams set for Nacra 15 Worlds in Barcelona

60 eager youth teams representing 18 nations are set for the Nacra 15 Worlds in Barcelona © Nacra 15 Class

Right now in Barcelona, 60 eager Nacra 15 youth teams representing 18 Nations and four continents are preparing their first official Nacra 15 World Championship.

Sailors are coming from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Canada, Spain, Finland, France, Great Britain, Italy, US Virgin Islands, Holland, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States. This championship is also important for the qualification of 7 countries to participate in October 2018 during the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina. The goal, to be one of the fourteen Nacra 15 teams representing their respective countries who will participate during these Youth Olympic Games. The teams must be mixed teams in the age born between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2003. The Nacra 15 is the “pathway class” to the Olympic Nacra 17 multihull.

The qualification system to participate the Youth Olympics is based on four qualification events: In October 2017 in Medemblik the countries Switzerland and Tunisia have qualified; in November in America the countries USA and Uruguay and in January in Australia the countries Australia and Singapore. Argentina has a wildcard to participate the Youth Olympics. During the Nacra 15 Worlds in Barcelona 7 more countries will qualify to complete the 14 allowed countries/teams.

The new Nacra 15 class has started in 2016 and it is very nice to see how within 1,5 year this new class has been developed very fast. The Nacra 15 is the smaller version of the Olympic Nacra 17. For young sailors really exciting to sail. Most of them are coming from Optimist, 29’er or 420. During last winter period a lot of the teams have trained much time in Barcelona to prepare these worlds.

Today the practice race has been sailed in great sailing conditions with around 10-12 knts wind. The weather forecast for this week also looks good. Race 1, tomorrow Monday 22nd , will start at 12:00 with 4 races scheduled back to back per day, through to Friday, a true test of fitness, skills and stamina. A total of 19 races are scheduled.

Races can be followed by live tracking. Also look for updated information and results at the website, www.nacra15class.com.

The Nacra 15 Worlds will take place at Barcelona International Sailing Center and is organized by Federació Catalana de Vela, Real Nautical Club, Reial Club Maritim Barcelona and the International Nacra 15 Class Association. The event is sponsored by the Government of Barcelona, Forward WIP, Island Tribe sun protection, Code Zero, Harken, PEGA trailers and Nacra Sailing.