Pwllheli to Host Sailing’s 2015 Optimist European Championship

Pwllheli in Wales has been announced as the host of the Optimist European Championship 2015 next July.

Around 250 of the World’s top young sailors from over 45 countries will travel to North Wales for what is always one of the most fiercely contested events on the international junior racing calendar.

The Optimist class is widely regarded as the breeding ground for future international sailing success with four-time Olympic champion Sir Ben Ainslie and Wales’ own London 2012 470 class silver medalist, Hannah Mills, both Optimist graduates. In fact over 90% of sailors at London 2012 raced Optimists as juniors.

Bob Lowe, Chairman of the Events Committee in Pwllheli said: “We’re very much looking forward to hosting the Optimists in Pwllheli. Pwllheli is a special place where you are guaranteed a warm welcome. With the fabulous sailing waters of Cardigan Bay and a beautiful backdrop of the Snowdonia National Park everyone will have a memorable championships on and off the water.”

Tim Hall, Optimist Europeans Championship 2015 Event Director, said: “With good conditions both days, sailors got to sample the excellent sailing at Pwllheli and will have gained some useful knowledge ready to return for the European Championship. All the feedback has been positive and the event team will be working hard over the next year to ensure an amazing European Championships in July 2015.”

Pwllheli will stage the Optimist European Championship from 18-26 July 2015.