| ATHENS, GREECE-(20-8-2003) The sailors who unfurled their sails this afternoon for the Sailing Sport Event were full of enthusiasm for the Agios Kosmas Olympic Sailing Centre and highly satisfied with the Sailing field of play whose particular features are, they said, a challenge. Top sailors, such as the famous British Ben Ainslie (Finn class gold medallist in Sydney and silver medallist in Atlanta), the Argentinian Julio Alberto Labandeira, the oldest competitor (at 54) to take part in these events, and the Italian Alessandra Sensini (gold medallist at the Sydney Olympics and bronze medal winner in Atlanta for the Mistral class) spoke highly of the venue and the organisation.
Ben AINSLIE (Great Britain) – Finn:
“The works at the venue have progressed a great deal and the venue itself is very impressive. It fully conforms to the standards of the 2004 Olympic Games. It’s just perfect, I could say! The only problem is the distances, as the venue is enormous. The course is a challenge, both when the northern winds are blowing, since the northern winds are very changeable, and when there is very little wind, as it is very hot, which is a problem for the North Europeans. The competition is of very high quality, because if you want to be successful in the Olympic Games you must be here this year. That at least is the case for my class, Finn, but I imagine it is also true of the other classes”.
Alessandra SENSINI (Italy) – Mistral:
“ The venue is different from last year. The jetty is twice as big. Everything is going well and everything is being prepared and tested out so that it will be perfect next year. The only problem is the heat here in Greece. During yesterday’s training there was a strong wind blowing and very good water conditions. We’ll see today what the sea has in store for us”.
Julio Alberto LABANDEIRA (Argentina) – Star:
“ It is an honour to be the oldest competitor in the Sport Event. I have been sailing for about 40 years and as far as the venue is concerned it is huge and, generally speaking, very good. The best athletes have gathered here from all over the world, those that will be here next year for the Olympic Games of 2004. Everyone here has taken the Sport Event very seriously. Every country has brought many Managers, team leaders and coaches, craft and the like. It’s as if these were the Olympic Games. I am very satisfied. Many more things will be done of course, many trees are needed, but a year is plenty of time to do it all. The course is different every day. On the first day there was a lot of wind from the south and big waves. The day before yesterday the wind was completely different as it was coming from a northern direction and there were no waves. This is great because you have the opportunity to sail in different weather conditions, which means that the best competitor wins. Competition is of Olympic level; the top twenty craft from each country are here. The cream of the sailing community has gathered here”.
Konstantinos TRIGONIS (Greece) – 470s:
“The venue seems to be very good. There are of course some minor problems, for instance, no arrangements have been made for the transfer of athletes. Trees are also needed, marquees, and greenery in general. There has been no problem with the organisation, the staff has been very courteous, willing to assist and organized. The competition level is high. All the Olympic teams are here”.
Vasilis PORTOSALTE (Greece) – 49er:
“The venue is very good, better than the ones at Barcelona and Atlanta. It’s very big but more greenery is needed. We have been well prepared and a lot of work has been done. The results will show it. It is a test and a very good training for the World Championships in Spain.”
Antonis MANOLAKIS (Greece) – Laser:
“The venue is very good - though this is only my first experience of a pre-Olympic event, I must admit I’m very impressed. The competition is good and quite high-class, we could say. All the competitors who will compete in the Olympic Games have come here.
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