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9 May 2005, 11:34 am

32 Nations Already Lined Up

470 European Championship 2005

Gdynia, Poland

With just over three weeks until the 'Kick Off' of the 2005 International 470 European Championship, almost 250 athletes from 32 nations have already registered to compete.

Teams will descend on Gdynia, Poland to sail in the 40th 470 European Championships. From Myanmar to Argentina to China, from Russia to Romania and Turkey sailors will use the regatta to check where their true speed is after the long break since the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

470 newcomer and ISAF Rolex Sailor of the Year 2003 and Olympic gold medallist in the Europe, Siren SUNDBY (NOR) with crew Karianne MELLEBY will line up in just their third 470 regatta. At the other end of the experience spectrum, 1995 World Champion, Andreas KOSMATOPOULOS (GRE) with new crew Andreas PAPADOPOULOS will be racing in his 15th 470 European Championship.

The 470 returns to Poland for the first time since 1983 when just 77 athletes sailed from 19 nations. A local contingent of 20 local boats will enjoy the Olympic class' visit.

2004 Olympic silver medallist team, Nick ROGERS and Joe GLANFIELD (GBR) are using the regatta to ease back into dinghy competition since sailing the big boats after Athens. Competition will come from the eight boat Ukrainian team headed by 1996 Olympic gold medallists and current ISAF World Sailing Rankings' number threes, Eugen BRASLAVETS and Igor MATVYENKO (UKR) and the in-form Israelis headed by ISAF Grade 1 Semaine Olympique Française winners, Gideon KLIGER and Udi GAL.

Sylvia VOGL and Carolina FLATSCHER (AUT) have started the new season in good form but will have a battle for the women's title with French Team women's captain and ISAF World Sailing Rankings' number ones, Ingrid PETITJEAN and Nadège DOUROUX and Israeli veterans Nike KORNECKI and Vered BOUSKILA. More than 40 women's teams are expected.

Several of the top female teams including the gold and silver medallist will be missing, electing to sail the Mediterranean Games in Almeria, Spain. However the 470 women's fleet has deepened greatly in the past four years and there will be plenty of talent ready to fill the gap.

Late entries will be accepted until the 18 May. Entry Forms and a full list of competitors can be found on the International 470 Class Association Website.