Triennial Canoe Worlds imminent

10sqm Canoe specialist from around the world to compete on Portland Harbour next month

There are now just under two weeks to go to the start of the Canoe Sailing World Championship to be held at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, site of the sailing events for the 2012 Olympic Games. Entries have been received from countries as far away as Australia and the USA.

The triennial Championship is held under the auspices of the International Canoe Federation, and this event is organised by the British Canoe Union Sailing Committee. It will be sailed in the International 10 square metre Canoe class, with separate racing for the standard canoes (ICs) and those fitted with asymmetric spinnakers (ACs). These historic boats have a history dating back to the nineteenth century, but continuous development has allowed them to keep abreast of developments over the years, and the modern sailing canoe is a very sophisticated racing dinghy. Its unique features include a sliding seat for the helm to project his/her weight well over the side, and the fact that the single-handed sailor has both a mainsail and a jib to control, with the addition of the asymmetric spinnaker on the ACs.

A full programme of sailing and social activates has been planned for the competitors and families. The Opening Ceremony will be held at 1800 on Saturday 6 August and will be attended by the Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Councillor Les Ames, and International Canoe Federation Vice-President Albert Woods who will formally open the Championship.

A large and talented British team is looking for victory on home waters, but there will be serious challenges from around the world. Sailors to look out for include:

- Mark Goodchild (UK), two times World Championship Runner-up, two times IC Europa Cup winner and multiple IC National Champion, sailing in the IC class.
- Simon Allen (UK), 2 times IC Europa Cup winner, former IC National Champion, sailing in the IC class.
- John Ellis (UK), former IC National Champion, sailing in the IC class.
- Max Tollqvist (SWE), former IC World Champion (1981), sailing in the IC class.
- Ola Barthelson (SWE), former IC Europa Cup winner, sailing in the IC class.
- Robin Wood (UK), 3 times IC World Champion (1987, 1993 & 1996), former IC Europa Cup winner and AC Europa Cup winner, 2 times IC National Champion, 2 times AC National Champion, sailing in the AC class.
- Colin Brown (UK), 6 times IC National Champion, sailing in the AC class.
- Gareth Caldwell (UK), former IC Europa Cup winner and IC National Champion, sailing in the AC class.
- Rob Michael (UK), former AC National Champion, sailing in the AC class.
- Paul Patrick (UK), former AC National Champion, sailing in the AC class.
- Steve Clark (USA), 2 times IC World Champion (1984 & 2002), 'C' Class catamaran guru sailing his own experimental-design of AC.
- Anders Petersson (USA), former IC Europa Cup winner for Sweden, now based in USA, sailing in AC class.

Separate from the World Championship but held in conjunction with it will be team racing for the New York Canoe Club International Challenge Cup, the oldest international trophy for small boats in the world and second only in age to the America's Cup itself among yachting trophies. The New York Cup was first presented in 1884, and has been held by the UK since 1993. The match will be sailed in ICs and the UK team will be keen to maintain its grip on the trophy. In addition to the New York Cup racing in the ICs, there will also be a challenge from the UK AC sailors to a team from the Rest of the World for the recently presented Worcester Regatta Trophy.