14th July 2007
The 37th Volvo ISAF Youth World Sailing Championships is now in full swing.
The opening ceremonies started off with a bang yesterday, as “The Brigantine” (a local tall ship) fired off a cannon by the shores of Lake Ontario to start the athlete parade. Athletes, coaches, and spectators alike were quite pleased by this point that the rainy conditions had subsided, as a half hour earlier, everyone was trying to find shelter in a downpour!!
In sunny skies, over 220 athletes from 49 countries were led in procession from Lake Ontario up to Grant Hall (Queen’s University). During the parade, country placards were held high by members of the local Boys and Girls Club, high school students and young sailors from the Kingston Yacht Club. A police horse escort and two young Canadians –Sam and Wesley Sterling- led the crowd with their bagpipes, a police horse escort.
A memorable official ceremony then commenced. Speakers included Event Chair Tim Irwin, Kingston Mayor Harvey Rosen, ISAF Youth Committee Chair Fiona Kidd, and Volvo Representative Lizzie Ward. Oaths were read by Canadian (and Kingston native) Robert Davis, Katrine Anderson (a 29er sailor from Denmark who will host the event in 2008), and Ralph Roberts (Jury Chair). Thereafter, Fiona Kidd and Tim Irwin raised the ISAF Youth World flag with great enthusiasm.
As a Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF Youth World tradition, each country partook in the “Mixing of the Waters” ceremony. Each team brought along water from their own country, which was poured into an urn…signifying the unification of countries together in good sportsmanship and fair play.
Kington’s very own “Town Crier”-Chris Whyman- then officially declared the event open. In the spirit of “Friday the 13th”- dry ice then sneaked off the stage!
Today marked the first day of racing. The results will be posted soon. Please stay tuned to the website for the stories of the day!!
For photos from the OnEdition on-line image library, go to http://www.w-w-i.com/volvo_youth_worlds_2007/.