The Official
Website of the
International
Sailing Federation

The numbers are amazing: 1,399 sailors, 76 nations, distributed across 945 boats on 11 classes. Three hundred and six races will take place on five race courses with an equivalent area of 1,270 football fields.

Bernardo Pinto GONÇALVES, Administrator of Portugal Vela 2007, the event organizers, is calm, 'Everything is ready for the beginning of the Championships. Only minor details are left do deal with'. GONÇALVES has no doubts about the great show that will take place on Cascais bay waters, 'It will be something unique and never before seen in Portugal. I hope that all will turn out well regarding the competition and that the audience on shore will have a great time watching the races'.

The first day of the Championships will be dedicated to administrative procedures and measurements of the boats and the opening of the Press Centre on the venue. Media awareness on this competition is more than obvious as more than 200 journalists, Portuguese and international, are already accredited.

The Event Village, located on Cascais Cidadela, also opens today, the place to relax and have fun away from the competitive environment. The Cidadela is where all the social programme will take place, and will also be a unique spot to watch the races, along with the Guia lighthouse, Tamariz beach on Estoril and Ponta do Sal on São Pedro do Estoril.

The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for 21:30 on 2 July with a multimedia show on Cascais Bay, with the performance of a Portuguese Pop Band named The Gift and a traditional Portuguese guitar player Pedro de Castro. A Fireworks spectacle will end the show.

The Numbers

Nations: 76
Sailors: 1,399
Boats: 945
Race courses: 5
Races: 306
Staff members: 500 (222 voluntaries)
Largest fleet: Great Britain - 96 sailors

About The 2007 ISAF Worlds

The 2007 ISAF Sailing World Championships will take place from 28 June-13 July in Cascais, Portugal. 'The Wind Is Calling' is the official motto for the 2007 Worlds. The Championships are the principal qualification regatta for the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition, with 75% of all national places to be decided.

All Media wishing to attend the Championships will require accreditation. The Media Accreditation is available on-site.

For all the news on the ISAF Sailing World Championships 2007 CLICK HERE.