THE PEERSON 470 CLASS JAPAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023 KICKS OFF

This is the first time Japan’s 470 class national championship is held in Tohoku post the devastating Earthquake in 2011, and the first national championship to be held in Yuriage Yacht Harbor. The 470 class has been part of Olympic sailing events since 1976. 

82 boats and 164 sailors, including adults, students, and overseas teams (Korea and New Zealand), have entered the national championship. Keiju Okada/Miho Yoshioka (Toyota Motor East Japan/Benesse Holdings) and Tetsuya Isozaki/Yurie Seki (Yamaha Motor), who won gold and bronze medals, respectively, at the World Championships held in The Hague, the Netherlands, in August will be competing in this Championship. It will also serve as a prelude to the selection of Japan's representatives for the Paris Olympics, which will begin in February next year. Keiju Okada, 2023 470 World Championships Gold Medalist commented: "I am feeling a little relieved after the World Championships. This time, I want to focus on enjoying sailing.” Tetsuya Isozaki commented: "There is a difference in the way of competing between the World Championships, where competitors of the same level compete, and the Japan championship, where student sailors also compete. I need to fit in well with this style of competition.”

The gold and bronze medals Japan won the year before the Paris Olympics have made Japan a medal contender in the eyes of the world. The 470 Japan Championships, where these medalists will compete, may be the most competitive national championship in the world. The 470 Japan Championships kicks off on September 6 with registration and the opening ceremony, followed by a maximum of 12 races from the 7th to the 10th to determine the best in Japan.