Measurement has been going on for the third day now in a very tight schedule. Currently 105 Men and 62 Women teams have pre-registered and most of them have already arrived. At the 470 Worlds venue in Rota, sailors enjoy high air temperatures, lots of sun, a wonderful sea view, training on the water and checking up their boats at the boat parking while some `Motown tunes` through the harbor speakers increase the pleasance of the atmosphere. Now and then yelling can be heard from the measurement hall when the digits on the scale balance and finally end up just a few grams over the minimum weight. According to the Chief Measurer, approx. 25% of all measured boats sofar are under the minimum limits and have to be compensated.

At this World Championship event, not only the Worlds Title is the main prize to win. For many sailors and their countries, the results of this 470 World Championship may be of major influence on their way to Athens.

For instance, sailors have the chance to qualify at least their country for participation at the coming Olympic Games, as far as they didn`t manage to do this yet. Chances get fewer as the time to August 2004 gets shorter.

`For us it is important to gain our country qualification for the 470 Men, which is crucial to raise our funds needed to move on with our Athens 2004 preparations.` said Alexander Plotnikov, coach of the three participating Russian teams. `Vlada Ilienko and Natalia Gaponovich already qualified at last year`s 470 Worlds by ending up 4th.`

Sweden`s ladies Theresa Torgersson and Vendela Zachrisson (SWE 321) started sailing the 470 in 2001. They have ambitions participating at the Olympics. After showing some good results such as their Bronze medal at the last European Championship, both talented girls coming from the Europe class have good chances to make their dream come true if they show a similar performance as at the Europeans.

For the French, there could be even more at stake at this specific event.` If one of us ends up within, say the first five, and the difference of performance is obvious, it is possible that a definite decision will be made regarding who will be representing France at the Olympics.` said Nicholas Leberre, crew of the FRA 2588. ` Further this is an event with very strong competition where we can learn,` he continues. `We have done a lot of testing of materials ourselves, but at such an event we have the opportunity to take a look at the efforts of others and what materials they use to gain success.`

Lots of interest also in the Dutch camp where the final results of this World Championship event will answer many questions. ` Our main task is to qualify our country ` said Kalle Coster, crew of the NED 1. ` Further, at this Worlds event we also have to obtain certain results to retain the status we have with our National Olympic Committee.` Three Dutch Ladies teams are here at Cadiz to win best cards for participation at the Athens 2004 Olympics.

Other interests besides Olympic targets, is an aspect of honours. Last years` ISAF World Sailors of the year, Sofia Bekatorou and Emilia Tsoulfa from Greece, have a special mission; being World Champion 470 Women for the last three years in a row and now fighting for the fourth on the way to remain unbeaten within a complete Olympiad.

Today is the last day of preparations, with a training race starting at 2pm this afternoon. The last few days, conditions on the bay of Cadiz have been about perfect. A strong breeze is brought by the `Levante`, a warm and sandy wind that comes from the Sahara. This means that there will be a very good chance that the conditions at least during the first days of qualifiers will be excellent. After the `Levante` finishes, another colder wind called `Poniente` might come up.

Racing schedule:

Qualifiers:
Thursday 18 Sept. - 2 races
Friday 19 Sept. - 2 races
Saturday 20 Sept. - 2 races

Sunday 21 Sept. - Reserve day

Finals:
Monday 22 Sept. - 2 races
Tuesday 23 Sept. - 2 races
Wednesday 24 Sept. -1 race

More information, schedules and future results can be found at the event web site: www.cadizworlds2003.com or visit the Intl 470 Class web site at www.470.org

Source: Rick van Wijngaarden