| ISTANBUL, TURKEY-(20-10-2006) Alberto PREDIERI from Italy has been elected as the new President of 470 Internationale at the Class’ General Assembly that took place last weekend in Istanbul. PREDIERI will be leading the Class assisted by a strong Management Committee with a two-year mandate in a new structure parallel to a new constitution that was approved by the General Assembly.
Marta WEORES from Hungary has set her Olympic 470 sailing activities aside for the moment and will assist PREDIERI as First Vice President. She will furthermore continue the development of the successful 470 Support Programmes, including the Solidarity Programme that aims at the support of talented youth 470 sailors in countries where financial support is an obstacle for sailing sport development on Olympic levels.
Alain CORCUFF from France retains his position as Secretary General in addition to his activity of Principal Race Officer of 470 Internationale. Marina VIGANO from Italy, a professional accountant with 470 sailing experience, joins the Class Management as Treasurer.
Alberto PREDIERI has been active in the Class’ Management Committee for many years. Starting as Secretary General, he continued his activities as First Vice President to finally lead the class as Acting President during last year. PREDIERI is also member of the ISAF Constitution Committee and ISAF Olympic Classes Sub-Committee.
During last year’s period he and his team’s main goals were to restructure the class management.
“Professionalism is increasing in the sailing sport and that means so should we as an Organization. Our new structure allows us to perform a more effective management of the Class and anticipate stronger to needs and issues like development of events, relations and new technology. As governing body of an International Class with an Olympic status, one must not be afraid to make changes, even if it will affect traditions and if this requires great efforts of time and work.” PREDIERI said.
As members of the Management Committee were elected: Victor KOVALENKO from Australia also known as the “medal maker”, web expert Erico HOFFMANN from Argentina, Arthur THUERINGER from Austria, one of the youngest and more active coaches of the 470 Class, and 470 Internationale Technical Committee Chairman Dimitris DIMOU from Greece.
According to the new constitution, an Executive Board of four people and four Management Committee members with a defined task portfolio form the Class’ Management Committee. The General Council has been dismissed and future General Assemblies will take place every year with the presence of the Management Committee and permanent representatives of National 470 Class Associations.
The 470 Class is currently represented in more than 60 countries from all continents over the world.
During the General Assembly last weekend also decisions on the venues for future 470 Championships were taken.
The 470 Worlds in 2009 Denmark, hosting country of the IOC Meeting in 2009, won the right to organize the 470 Worlds in 2009, after having beaten venues in Poland, Germany and Greece. For 2010 there were proposals from The Netherlands, 2004 Olympic venue Athens, 1980 Olympic venue Talinn and Japan that campaigns for the 2016 Olympic Summer Games. Votes finally were in favour of The Netherlands.
The European Championships 2009 will take place at the 2006 ISAF World Sailing Games venue Neusiedl am See in Austria, and in Istanbul, Turkey in 2010.
Also the Junior World and European Championship events and Masters Cups were assigned for following years.
A full list of future 470 Championship events can be found at the 470 Class web site: www.470.org
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