Denmark unveils crown jewel for Hempel Sailing World Championships
by Event Media 23 May 2018 13:07 PDT
23 May 2018
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Kim Andersen, president of World Sailing © Peter Brøgger
Denmark's new home of sailing has immediately joined elite international company in being awarded the highest status by World Sailing and also gained the royal seal of approval from keen sailors, Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark.
"It's a great day for the sport because the Center will be a magnet for developing talent," Kim Andersen, president of World Sailing, said. "We see this all over the world where there are elite centres. People learn from each other across classes and across nations.
"Hopefully the Center and the Worlds will set new standards for how we grow the sport," Andersen, who represented Denmark at multiple World and European Championships, added."Sailing is backed by everyone in Denmark - the Crown Prince competes in the Farr 40 or Dragon - I always say Denmark isn't a country it's a coastline."
Andersen and Crown Prince Frederik, both now more used to racing Dragons, hoisted a spinnaker on a 49er FX to mark the moment.
From July 30 – August 12, 2018, the Aarhus International Sailing Center will welcome 1,500 sailors from around 100 countries and an estimated 400,000 visitors. The sailors will be fighting for two prizes – medals in Aarhus and qualification for the Olympics. The Hempel Sailing World Championships Aarhus 2018 is the first big qualification event for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and Enoshima (sailing).
"A world-class competition needs world-class facilities and the official opening of the Aarhus International Sailing Center marks the fulfilment of a promise that we made four years ago," Lars Lundov, CEO of Sport Event Denmark, said. "It means a lot to Aarhus and to Denmark to be hosts. Denmark has a track record of delivering major sporting events - we've just staged highly successful Ice Hockey World Championships - and we hope this place will hold many good memories for the sailors, spectators and media. We're on course for a great Sailing World Championships."
After an inspection, which confirmed its high standard, the Aarhus International Sailing Center has become only the sixth facility in the world to be awarded Approved Centre Status by World Sailing.
The Aarhus International Sailing Centeris a jewel in the redeveloped Aarhus harbour area, Aarhus Ø. Designed by the architect firm Entasis, it looks out onto the World Championships competition area in the Bay of Aarhus and will act as a grandstand for the World Championship Medal Races.
"With the International Sailing Center and the upcoming Sailing World Championships we are cementing Aarhus' position within the world's elite of sailing," Jacob Bundsgaard, Mayor of Aarhus, said.
For more information visit www.aarhus2018.com