ISAF World Sailing Championships

ISAF WORLD SAILING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Cascais, Portugal , July 3 to July 13, 2007.
 
Preview: Competition Starts July 3
 
First Irish Sailors take to the water in Star Class
 
The 2nd ISAF World Sailing Championship gets under way in Cascais, Portugal, tomorrow. The Championship is a single regatta that determines the world champions in the 11 Olympic sailing classes. Furthermore it will determine up to 75% of nation places for the Olympic regatta at the 2008 Olympic Games.  
 
Maurice O'Connell  & Ben Cooke and Max Treacy & Anthony Shanks will be first competitors on the water for Ireland in the Star class.  The rest of the Irish team, comprising in total 19 sailors in 14 boats, will begin competition over the coming days.
 
While each class competition varies slightly the format is usually 10 races over 6 race days, with a final race for the top ten boats to determine medal positions.
James O'Callaghan, ISA Performance Director is leading the Irish team in Cascais: "The World Championships is the key event for the Irish sailing squad for 2007. Competing here is a crucial part of the development of these young sailors as they build their skills and experience.   We will learn a lot about where we stand in world terms over the next two weeks."

Further information from:
Bernadette Fox,                                  087-956 9012
Bernadette@sailing.ie
Paul McDermott                                  087-648 6295
pmcdermott@irishsportscouncil.ie
www.cascaisworlds2007.com
 
A Team Ireland Media Guide has been prepared. It is available on www.sailing.ie and on request from Bernadette Fox.
 
Updates on Irish performances at the World Championships will be provided daily. The competition is scheduled to start at 1.00 pm each day, with final results available in the evening time.

Issued on behalf of the ISA by the Irish Sports Council