The Worlds 2024 was kicked-off with Nations’ Parade and Opening Ceremony

On Tuesday evening, the Europe Class World Championship 2024 was kicked off by the nations’ parade followed by the opening ceremony at the Hanko City Hall. Altogether 91 sailors from 8 countries will be taking part in the race during the next 5 days.

Opening words from Petra Ståhl, The Mayor of Hanko

The city of Hanko wishes you all very welcome to our beautiful and almost always sunny city. We are very proud here in Hanko for our city being the stage for the International Europe Class World Championships 2024. This year, our city is celebrating its 150th anniversary, and this competition is one of the highlights of our anniversary year.

During the years, our city has established itself as one of the biggest sailing centres in the Baltic Sea. The Annual Hanko Regatta that takes place in the beginning of July is the biggest sailing event in Finland and is highly appreciated by the participating sailors.

Our own local yacht club, Hanko Segelförening (HSF), with its history that reaches back more than 100 years, has through the decades been actively managing a great number of international championships. They have great knowledge and experience of organizing competitions and on behalf of the city, we are very, very proud of their work.

We couldn’t be happier to have you all here in Hanko today, and I wish you all good luck and excellent racing conditions and a very pleasant stay in our beautiful city by the sea.

I also hope you will have some time to visit some of our famous beaches and to enjoy the historical surroundings we have to offer. With these words, I declare this year’s World Championships Open and welcome you all to Hanko.

Opening words from Paul Depoorter, The President of the International Europe Class Union

We have been here a few days and we felt warmly welcome. The International Europe class is extremely happy to be here. It was about time as it’s a long time ago, we were in Finland.

We have seen already that Hanko is a great place to stay. The first day of the Open Week we were kind of afraid that it is going to be hard, because there was not so much wind, and the forecast was not so nice. But then we sailed 8 fantastic races. So, it’s a great sailing place and I’m sure we will enjoy.

Thank you, sailors, for being here! I wish you the best luck in wonderful sailing conditions and good wind. But remember, the most important thing this week is to have fun.