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With 38,000 boats in 75 countries, the International 470 is a great legacy of the legendary French Naval Architect Andre CORNU. The CORNU Family was in sailing from as far back as 1910 but in 1961 Andre saw the need for a Moderate Fibreglass planning dinghy, ideal for Families: fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, to sail in a competitive fashion. In less than two years he had designed and launched the 470. Fast, athletic, tactical, fun and able to be raced in 3-35 knots it was a success from the start.

In the years that followed it became a favourite in Europe but also in the USA and Australia. By 1969 there were 8,000 boats and the ISAF (then known as the IYRU) granted the 470 International status. By 1972 there were more than 14,000 boats and with worldwide distribution it was selected as equipment for an Olympic event.

Today the International 470 Class Association honours Andre CORNU's legacy and recognizes excellence in the sport of double-handed dinghy youth sailing by making a grant to the winners and world champions in the boys' and girls' divisions of the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship.

This year the championship is to be sailed in Busan, Korea from 14-23 July. The International 470 Class Association will support each champion team to the value of 1000 Euro each towards entry fees and expenses incurred in attending the 470 World Championship 2006 in China or the 470 Junior World Championship 2006 in Germany.

International 470 Class Association President, Darren DUNKLEY-SMITH (AUS) said, 'Andre CORNU nurtured his own son's sailing career to a 505 Class World Championship in 1961 and I'm sure that Andre would be pleased that 470 Internationale was continuing to assist the Champions of tomorrow with their dreams.'

'We are very pleased to join with the Family CORNU in awarding the Andre CORNU Grant and we are certain that it will assist both boys' and girls' ISAF Youth Champions to be their best.'

As well as the Andre CORNU Grant the Class Association are also introducing the Junior Women's Support Programme.

It is still difficult in many circumstances for junior women in the 470 to get the support needed to attend major 470 Championships. There are many fine female skippers that struggle at the lower end of the fleet in their formative years.

International 470 Class Association Vice President, Alberto PREDIERI (ITA) brought a strong case to the Management Committee that it was time to assist some of the 'Not so Famous' sailors in the fleet. PREDIERI said, 'We need to help the younger women attend these championships and build their skills. What better way than selecting the youngest of the women teams and making their goals that little bit easier to attain.'

At this years 470 Junior (under 22) World Championship in St. Petersburg, Russia, the two youngest female teams (combined age skipper and crew) will receive a grant of 900 Euro each towards expenses that will make it easier for them to continue in their campaigns.

It would be very pleasing to see the support programme's sailors go onto great things, but it will be enough to see them sail against some great sailors, make friends and learn new skills that they will be able to use over a lifetime.