The show of Olympic sailing returns to Barcelona
The Nacra 17 European Championship, which also includes the Junior Europeans will be held from September 25th until October 3rd at the Barcelona International Sailing Center (BISC) in Barcelona (Spain). 43 mixed crews from 24 countries will take part in the championship of the most spectacular and fastest of all Olympic classes. Barcelona is hosting this European championship for the first time and picks up its Olympic legacy.
The championship is organized by the Sports Federation Union of Catalonia (UFEC) and the Catalan Sailing Federation, with the support of the Barcelona City Council, the Catalonian Government, the Barcelona Royal Yacht Club (RCNB) and the Royal Maritime Club of Barcelona (RCMB). This European championship is also a qualifier for some countries for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and is open; therefore, besides European countries there will be also representatives from North and South America and Oceania.
The Championship director, Laia Tutzó, has highlighted that the organisation of the Nacra 17 European in Barcelona aims, on one hand, to promote water sports to the citizens, and on the other, to place Barcelona in the spotlight as a role model in the organisation of Olympic sailing events.
As Gerard Esteva, president of the Sports Federation Union of Catalonia, announced, “this championship is the first of a series of Olympic sailing events which will be organized in Barcelona in the upcoming months”, in order to contribute to the international projection of Catalan sport and put the quality and organisational savoir-faire of Barcelona 1992 at the service of Olympic sailing.
Barcelona: Olympic City, City of Sailing
Since the Nacra was chosen as an Olympic class in 2012, this is the first time that Barcelona, Olympic city, organizes this international event. With this event, the Catalan capital will pick up its Olympic legacy and strengthen itself as one of the great capitals of the world in the organisation of major sporting events.
The city is now back with Olympic sailing following the path initiated by the Barcelona World Race and the major regattas organised by the Real Club Nautico de Barcelona (RCNB). Furthermore, the Barcelona International Sailing Center is, as well as the championship’s venue, an international leading centre for training of water sports.
More information about the event can be found on the event website of the Nacra17 Eureopeans 2015.