The accreditation is now open for the Open European Championships in Olympic classes sailing competition in Helsinki 2011. Media representatives are kindly requested to fill out the form here: http://enter.openeuropeans2011.com/events/v2-media-accreditation.asp?eventid=65354

 

If you need accommodation, we strongly recommend that you book early, since the races are held during the busiest tourist season. The official accommodation partner is Scandic, which offers four different hotel options. You can find more information here: http://www.openeuropeans2011.com/eventsites/content.asp?typp=&eventid=65354&id=1313

 

Open Europeans 2011 will be held at Hernesaari, Helsinki between 29th of June and 15th of July. There is a total of eight classes competing: Laser, Laser Radial, 470 Men & Mixed, 470 Women, Star, Finn, 49er and Match Women.

 

The organizing committee is expecting about 1000 competitors from over 50 countries to arrive in Helsinki. Because it is an open event, there will be many sailors from non-European countries participating, too.

 

Top-level sailors are fighting for not only the European championship titles, but also a place in London 2012 Olympic Games. For many countries Open Europeans 2011 is a part of the domestic elimination series leading to London.

 

Most of the races can easily be viewed from the shore at Hernesaari. In addition, there is a GPS-based tracking system available, which shows each boat's position in real time. (See www.tractrac.com.)

 

This year is a special year in Helsinki, since it marks the 150th anniversary of the first documented sailing competition organised in the city's coastal waters.  During Open Europeans 2011 there will be many other things to enjoy at Hernesaari besides the races: bars, restaurants, radio controlled sailboats, a sailing simulator and a whole lot more.

Welcome to Open Europeans Helsinki 2011!

Contacts:

Kurt Lönnqvist, President of the Organizing Committee, Open Europeans 2011, tel. +358 40 770 7594, e-mail: kurt.lonnqvist(at)purjehtija.fi

Jaakko Mannermaa, Publicist, tel. +358 40 511 5468, e-mail: jaakko.mannermaa(at)jkpromo.com