The waves of the Matosinhos and Porto sea play host to the greatest Sailing World Championship ever held in Portugal

The Sailing World Championship, the European 49ers and 49erFX Championship began today in Porto and Matosinhos.

It is the biggest and most important event ever organised in Portugal, involving the World Olympic Sailing Classes Championship. The best international athletes, namely world and Olympic champions, renowned worldwide, compete at the highest level of Sailing Classes that is setting records in participation numbers, engaging 145 sailing boats and more than half a thousand people.

These numbers were highlighted this morning in the largest sailing stadium in the world - the Leixões Terminal.

This is the privileged stand to watch the regattas of a competition that are the start-up of the 2020 Olympic Games.

This major event places the northern coastal region of Portugal in the international arena as it is broadcasted to more than 170 countries.

The impossible was made possible in the North

Ten years after Cascais, it is North's turn to host the European 49ers and 49erFX Championship, organised in record time.

"In two months' time, the impossible was made possible: the northern region of Portugal plays host to the most important international sailing event of the latest years. But this is how we do things; we only do what we can do well", added Rodrigo Moreira Rato, member of the competition organization.

The major economic impact of this event in the region is estimated at 1.5 million euros, according to the organisation.

Also, Melchior Moreira, President of Tourism of Porto and Northern Portugal, highlighted the importance and the capacity of this region "that is clearly a strategic landmark at international level".

350 sailors, 60 nationalities

350 male and female sailors of 60 different nationalities participate in this competition. The most prominent being Australian Nathan Outteridge and Brazilian Robert Scheidt; in the women's competition, the most renowned sailor is Martine Grael.

Defending the country's colours are Jorge Lima/José Luís Costa, Francisco Maia/Afonso Maia and Rodolfo Pires/Gonçalo Pires.

Rui Moreira, Mayor of Porto and former sailor and two times national champion by CVA took the opportunity to urge the Government to focus on Sailing implementation and further prioritisation.

PROGRAMME

25 and 26 August 

9 am-6 pm | Registrations/inspections

27 August 

6 pm | Opening Ceremony

28, 29 and 30 August

10:55 am | Qualification regattas

31 August and 1 September

10:55 am | Fleet Race

2 September

09:55 am | Fleet Race

12:00 am | Medals Regatta