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Over the past week close to 300 sailors representing 59 nations have battled for the seven Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship titles at the 39th edition of the Youth Worlds. The Closing Ceremony was the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the medal winners and for everyone involved to give their thanks to the city of Buzios, the state of Rio de Janeiro, the host nation Brazil, and the suppliers and sponsors of the event for putting on such a marvellous championship.

Isabel SWAN, Beijing Olympic Games bronze medallist, hosted the ceremony. "For the past seven days we have been delighted to host you all here in Buzios which has become the world youth capital of sailing," she said.

Carlos Luiz Martins PEREIRA SOUZA, President of the Confederacao Brasileira de Vela e Motor, paid tribute to everyone who's been involved in making the championship such a success, "First of all I would like to give thanks to the Government de Rio de Janeiro, the City of Buzios, the Yacht Club of Armação de Búzios. Most of all I would like to thank the athletes, the core of the event. This championship was made for you. This week we've had all the weather Buzios can give you; we've had wind, no wind, a little rain and beautiful weather. But something that was always present here was the happiness the hospitality and the joy of the Brazilian people receiving you all here. To us it was much more than a pleasure to have you here, it was a privilege."

The Major of Buzios, Mirinho BRAGA, also thanked all of the sailors, coaches and officials for visiting the city. "We hope to see all again here in 2016," he concluded, alluding to Rio's bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

Fiona KIDD, the Chairman of the ISAF Youth World Championship Sub-committee, also paid tribute to the partners who have made the championship such a success. "ISAF recognizes that hosting the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship is a huge responsibility," she said. "We appreciate the support of the Rio de Janeiro Government and Governor Sergio CABRAL have provided to ensure this event was a success - we thank you. Volvo, our title sponsor and partner for the past 10 years, has enabled this event to become the premier youth sailing championship in the world. Their commitment to the sport of sailing is unparalleled as witnessed in the recent Volvo Ocean Race. ISAF is grateful for their continued support of the development of youth sailing and future champions in the support. Volvo recognizes that is takes commitment, hard work and character to become a true champion.

"In addition our partners in the supply of equipment are very important to the success of this championship. Thanks you to Nautivela, LaserPerformance, Neil Pryde and Hobie Cat company for their continued commitment to this event. They did a fantastic job.

"Buzios, you have let us experience a little piece of sailing paradise. You have provided us for a great welcome and it is now sad to be saying goodbye. On behalf of the International Sailing Federation I would like to thank you for your support and hospitality."

Mirinho BRAGA, Major of Buzios, Carlos Luiz Martins PEREIRA SOUZA, President of the Confederacao Brasileira de Vela e Motor and Alain Pierre JOULLIÉ, Commodore of the Yacht Club of Armação de Búzios, were all presented with ISAF silver sails to thank them for their contribution to event. The team of ISAF Race Officials who have ensured fair play at the championship were also recognized, as was ISAF World Youth Sailing Trust coach Santiago LANGE.

Following the speeches, and before the medal ceremonies began, the presentation of the ISAF Bengt Julin Trophy was made by Fiona KIDD and Bill O'HARA, chairman of the International Jury. The Bengt Julin Trophy is awarded to 'a competitor or a National Team that has in the competitors' opinion done most to foster international understanding and has displayed the attributes that should be encouraged in international competition'. It is voted for by the competitors at the championship.

In 2009, the ISAF Bengt Julin Trophy was presented to Eroni LEILUA of Samoa, who competed in the Boy's One Person Dinghy - Laser Radial event.

The medal ceremonies followed with ISAF medals in gold, silver and bronze were awarded to first, second and third overall finishers in each event (see full details below). The Volvo Trophy was presented to France, the top-performing nation at the championship, by Torben GRAEL, five-time Olympic medallist and Volvo Ocean Race winning skipper, and Fiona KIDD, chairman of the Chairman of the ISAF Youth World Championship Sub-committee.

Fiona KIDD marked the end of the ceremony by declaring the 2009 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship closed with the ISAF Flag lowered of the ISAF Flag and then presented to the hosts the next year's championship, Istanbul, Turkey.

Medal Winners, Presenters and Awards

Boy's One Person Dinghy - Laser Radial

Sam MEECH (NZL) - gold medal and ISAF St. Lawrence Trophy
Tomas PELLEJERO (ARG) - silver medal
Pascal TIMSHEL (DEN) - bronze medal

Medals presented by Bruno MARQUES, Event Director

Girl's One Person Dinghy - Laser Radial

Elizabeth YIN (SIN) - gold medal and ISAF Royal Netherlands Centennial Trophy
Anne-Marie RINDOM (DEN) - silver medal
Mathilde DE KERANGAT (FRA) - bronze medal

Medals presented by Brasil 1 CEO, Alan ADLER

Boy's Two Person Dinghy - 420

Philip SPARKS and Ben GRATTON (GBR) - gold medal and ISAF World Youth Sailing Championship Trophy
Gabriel SKOCZEK and Thibaut SOLER (FRA) - silver medal
Benjamin GREZ and Carlos VERGARA (CHI) - bronze medal

Medals presented by Alain Pierre JOULLIÉ, Commodore of the Yacht Club of Armação de Búzios

Girl's Two Person Dinghy - 420

Martine GRAEL and Kahena KUNZE (BRA) - gold medal and RYA Trophy
Camilla MARINO and Claudia SORICELLI (ITA) - silver medal
Griselda KHNG and Cecilia LOW (SIN) - bronze medal

Medals presented by Torben GRAEL, five-time Olympic medallist and Volvo Ocean Race winning skipper

Boy's Windsurfer - RSX

Joseph GUEGUEN (FRA) - gold medal and ISAF Paul Phelan Trophy
Michalis MALEKKIDES (CYP) - silver medal
Jorge Renato AMARAL (BRA) - bronze medal

Medals presented by Mirinho BRAGA, Major of the City of Buzios

Girl's Windsurfer - RSX

Hei Man CHAN (HKG) - gold medal and ISAF St. Moritz Board Sailing Championship Trophy
Izzy HAMILTON (GBR) - silver medal
Leonore BOSCH (FRA) - bronze medal

Medals presented by Carlos Luiz Martins PEREIRA SOUZA, President of the Confederacao Brasileira de Vela e Motor

Open Multihull - Hobie 16

Jason WATERHOUSE and Lisa DARMANIN (AUS) - gold medal and ISAF Paul Henderson Trophy
Romain BELLET and Valentin BELLET (FRA) - silver medal
Francesco PORRO and Luca MARSAGLIA (ITA) - bronze medal

Medals presented by Walter BODDENER, Principal Race Officer

Volvo Trophy

France - Gabriel SKOCZEK, Thibaut SOLER, Pauline MAZZOCCHI, Emilie PILLON, Romain BELLET, Valentin BELLET, Mathilde DE KERANGAT, Pierre QUIROGA, Joseph GUEGUEN and Leonore BOSCH.

Volvo Trophy presented by Torben GRAEL, five-time Olympic medallist and Volvo Ocean Race winning skipper, and Fiona KIDD, chairman of the Chairman of the ISAF Youth World Championship Sub-committee.