Baku considers to apply to take in 2016 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships

By AzerNews

Baku intends to host ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships in 2016.

This was said by Head of Azerbaijan's Sailing Federation Gudrat Gurbanov said at a meeting with President of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Carlo Croce and President of the European Sailing Federation (EUROSAF) Marco Predieri.

Addressing the meeting, Gurbanov noted that Azerbaijan's location as well as Baku's geographical position and the country's tourism developments had contributed to the development of this sport.

"Because of its appropriate weather conditions, Baku wants to host the Youth Sailing World Championships in 2016," he added.

Carlo Croce, in turn, welcomed the offer by the Azerbaijani side, noting that Azerbaijan has held successfully several high-level international sports events. He referred to the first European Games which would be held in Baku in 2015, adding that Azerbaijan won the world's confidence for appropriate preparations for such a large event.

Presidents of ISAF and EUROSAF expressed high hope for beginning of a new chapter in the history of sailing in Azerbaijan. They also wished success for Azerbaijan and stressed their readiness to support Azerbaijan's Sailing Federation.

The ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship was first held in Angelholm, Sweden in 1971 where 16 nations competed for inaugural titles in the two-person dinghies. Open to sailors aged 19 and under the 44th version of the ISAF Youth Worlds heads to Tavira, Portugal on July 12-19, 2014.

France is the most successful nation through the history of sailing championship, winning the Nations Trophy on a record eleven occasions and holding a record 70 medals: 22 gold, 30 silver and 18 bronze medals.