420
Worlds At Sail Melbourne - Tremendous Opening
Ceremony For 420 Worlds At Mornington Yacht Club
Competitors
in the 420 World Championship that starts from
Mornington Yacht Club tomorrow, were feted at
the official Sail Melbourne Opening Ceremony last
night at the host club, Mornington Yacht Club
last evening.
According
to Sail Melbourne Chairman, Kevin Wood, the night
was a spectacular success, with a good fun atmosphere,
‘all in attendance had a fabulous time,
the competitors getting right into the spirit
of international competition and having fun with
friends from around the world,’ he said.
He
went on to say, ‘Sail Melbourne’s
sponsors are integral to the success of an event
of this magnitude and we thank them all, with
particular thanks to P&O Nedlloyd, who shipped
15 containers free of charge from Europe and Asia,
and Schenker Australia, who co-ordinated the onshore
logistics both in Australia and the ports of origin.
Emcee
for the evening was Australian 420 Class President,
Trevor Neate who introduced Mornington Yacht Club
Commodore Bob Armstrong, who in turn welcomed
the teams to the Club and thanked the many volunteers
for their monumental efforts.
International
Class President, Nino Schmueli, all came all the
way from Israel for the event, thanked all the
teams for their commitment to the class and for
making the trip to Australia. He also noted the
great work of Chief Measurer Barry Johnson from
Western Australia and his team, and congratulated
the Mornington Yacht Club and Sail Melbourne on
the organisation of the event.
Following
the welcome and speaches, the National flag of
each team was paraded past the officials gathered
on the pontoon in front of the club, to the cheers
of the crowd. With all the flags catching the
late afternoon light, Mornington Peninsula Shire
Mayor, Cr David Renouf, officially declared the
2004 International 420 World Championships open.
Photographers’
bulbs clicked away, capturing the moment with
all the teams standing proudly in their uniforms,
before enjoying a relaxed BBQ (for about 400 people!)
at the club.
In
all, there are 110 entries comprising 420 Open
and 420 Womens. Australia has fielded 29 entries,
with Italy (14), Japan (8), New Zealand (7), Greece
(1), Germany (12), Singapore (3), Croatia (1),
Switzerland (4), U.S.A. (3), Brazil (2), Great
Britain (14) and France (5).
Racing
gets underway tomorrow on Port Phillip Bay off
Mornington. Organisers plan to get racing underway
at 1200 hours local time, with no more than three
races to be sailed on an single day.
All
Information and results from the 420 World Championship
will be on the official site at:
www.sailmelbourne.com.au
Di
Pearson
