1720s abroad

Garda announced as 2005 Europeans venue

The interest and enthusiasm surrounding developments within the 1720 Class have been supported and rewarded by a regatta schedule for 2004/5 which is boosted with the announced of Lake Garda as the venue for the European Championships in 2005.

The 1720 class has always listened to its members and this is illustrated by the choice of Neyland Yacht Club for the UK National Championships. Neyland is a friendly, family sailing club, on a great stretch of water, where there is a growing fleet of 1720s. It’s also spookily convenient for the ferries to Ireland. This is relevant because the 1720 is going home to its birthplace in Cork the following weekend for the Irish Nationals, which will be run as an integral part of Cork Week 2004. The 2004 European Championships are being run by the Scottish Sailing Institute at Largs, in September, another 1720 fleet ‘hot-spot’.

In an exciting move in support of the first 1720s in Italy, the 2005 European Championships for the 1720 sportsboat will be held on Lake Garda in September. A decision still has yet to be made between the venues of Riva and Torbole, but as Garda has to be one of the premier racing venues in the world, the decision is unlikely to cause too many sleepless nights for any 1720 sailor.

This is the first time the Euro Champs for the class have been held outside the UK and Ireland and it is as much a reflection of the long term, international prospects of the class.

With the first two 1720s on their way on a container ship to the USA this week, perhaps the class will look to Annapolis or Key West in 2006?