Welcome to Denmark, to Århus and to the
38th ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship.
The Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship is the world's premier event for youth sailors and has been held every year since the inaugural event in Sweden in 1971.
In 2006 the Youth Worlds were held in Weymouth (GB), at the same place where the 2012 London Olympic sailing events will take place. In 2007 the Youth Worlds moved to Kingston (CAN) at the Lake Onterio, where in 1976 the sailing events toke place at the Montreal Olympics.
Now in 2008 for the first time ever, the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship will be held in Denmark, in the city of Århus, the second largest city in Denmark.
Denmark is a nation where sailing is a sport worshipped by tens of thousands and a hugely important part of Danish outdoor life. Sailing is as much a way of life in Denmark as a sport, and Denmark has a long tradition in sailing and competing. The sport combines two great Danish loves – one is the actual sailing and the other is the social life ashore – both being equally important. Many top athletes and sportsmen have risen from this tradition, with Paul Elvstrøm as probably the greatest of them all. He competed in eight Olympic Games and is the only Olympic yachtsman ever to win four consecutive gold medals. In the late ´90s he was nominated as ´Sportsman of the 20th century´ in Denmark and in November 2007 he received an induction as the first persone ever for the ISAF Sailing Hall of Fame.
The 2008 VOLVO Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship will therefore be held in the Danish sailing spirit – WE LOVE SAILING!
Paul Elvstøm making his acceptance speech as he is
named as one of the first six inductees into the
ISAF Sailing Hall of Fame
ÅRHUS – the city with everything you could dream of, is Denmark’s second largest city with a population of almost 300,000 inhabitants. The history of the city goes back more than a thousand years, and people have lived here since the first Viking settlement. Today there is an energetic pulse in the vibrant city of Århus. With a student population of more than 40,000, Århus has its sight firmly set on the future. At the same time, however, we keep the past very much alive here in Århus, with the oldest quarters of the city being some of the most atmospheric, bustling and trend-setting. Enjoy yourself shopping, relaxing at one of the city’s many cafés, or strolling in the woods or along the sandy beaches.
Århus has a long-standing tradition and expertise in hosting major sports events. The sailing waters, which are close to the city, are probably among the finest in the world and have hosted regatta yachting since 1866. The five Århus yachting clubs have worked together to arrange major races and championships for many years. For the past 20 years the Bay of Århus has been the scene of more than 300 regattas and international championships such as Laser Worlds, Europe Worlds, Yngling Worlds, Star European, several Danish Olympic spring regattas and many European and Scandinavian Championships.
The five Århus yachting clubs representing more than 2,800 members have established “Sailing Århus”, which will be the official organizing committee in close cooperation with the Danish Sailing Association and the City of Århus, represented by Sport Århus Events.
We look forward to seeing you in Århus in 2008.