Frederik @ Youth Sailing World Championships

Back to catching up! On July 11 Crown Prince Frederik attended the opening of the 38th World Championship in youth sailing in Århus. The Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship was held from 10-19 July, 2008, in which 500 young sailors from 60 nations competed. The championship was for sailors under 19 who competed in seven different classes. Århus was awarded hosting of the Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship by the international sailing organisation, the ISAF, of which Frederik is a committee member. Frederik was the patron of the championships, which fosters young talented sailors, both boys and girls, in international competition. The ISAF is also the convener of Olympic sailing and Crown Prince Frederik will be involved in ISAF meetings in Beijing, among other duties, when he and Mary attend the Olympics in a week's time. As Frederik is on the Events Committee, there has been a lot of behind-the-scenes involvement in Olympic sailing decisions (classes, rules, courses, etc).



Crown Prince Frederik's speech (in English)

The medal results: Great Britain first, New Zealand second, and with two points difference (one up in the Kiwi-Aussie rivalry!), Australia third.

Dagbladet.dk 'Royal velkomst til unge sejlere' - Royal welcome for young sailors (Mai Weber Andersen)
Crown Prince Frederik welcomed 251 sailors from all over the world at Århus Town Hall in connection with Friday's opening of the Youth Sailing World Championship.
Under eager rounds of applause the prince took space on the platform in Rådhushallen.
"I wish all of you a successful and memorable stay in Denmark and Århus. And I encourage you to use the possibility to not only compete, but also to engage in what can become lifelong friendships with fellow sailors from around the world. Sail fast," was the request to the young talents who in the next week battle it out on Århus Bay.

Photos © Stiften.dk/Martin Ballund

Århus Stiftstidende photo gallery at the Town Hall

TV2 Østjylland webTV (04:28)