470 Junior Clinic Launched

Image: Andreas Kosmatopoulos

International 470 Class Launches 470 Junior Clinic at 2009 470 Junior World Championships

The International 470 Class Association has launched the next phase of its Development Programmes for 2009 with a specific focus on youth sailors with the holding of a 470 Junior Coaching Clinic immediately before the International 470 Junior World Championships. The 470 Junior Worlds Championships are taking place in Thessaloniki, Greece from 10-18 July, with the clinic held from 1-8 July 2009. The 470 Class has appointed Andreas Kosmatopoulos (GRE) renowned 470 sailor and multiple World and European 470 Class Champion as the coach for the clinic.

Speaking on the objectives of the clinic, Andreas said, “The key point is to transfer the philosophy and the method of learning and thinking about the 470, not just to teach them how to tack or gybe. I will support the sailors in finding methods of solving problems and finding solutions. I don’t want to give the sailors “out of the box” solutions - that would be easy to do. I want to encourage them to think for themselves. We are not looking for an instant success but an evolving, step by step development of skills, technique and mental approach to the sport.”

The Goal
To help the 470 junior sailors from countries where Olympic sailing is less active and support them to improve their skill level and knowledge of 470 techniques;

To encourage sailors to participate in 470 Championships, so that the global fleet develops and sailors can share their knowledge with their national fleet;

To improve the Junior 470 level, sharing the knowledge of Andreas Kosmatopoulos, 470 world champion and five times Olympian with junior sailors.

What Is Included
An 8 day 470 Junior Clinic coached by Andreas Kosmatopoulos, including on shore and on water coaching, lunch and technical material.

Who Can Participate
All crew who are eligible to take part in the 2009 Junior World Championship and who have already completed the entry form for the event are invited to apply for the 470 Junior Clinic, with the exception of those sailors who are in the top 60 on the men’s and top 30 on the women’s ISAF Sailing World Rankings as at the most recent release dated 3 June 2009.

Application and Deadline
Please complete the application form, together with a statement giving the reasons why you are applying for the 470 Junior Clinic and your sailing plans for the rest of 2009 and send it to the International 470 Class Association by the deadline of 20 June 2009: solidarity@470.org

More information:
470 Class Website
470 Junior Worlds - Event Website