Class 40 blir ISAF-klass

Class40 is delighted to announce that it has become a provisional ISAF class following ISAF’s Mid-Year meeting. This decision means that Class40 can hold its first World Championship this summer, from the 18th – 21st August, in Hamble, England. The Class hopes to become an ISAF Recognised Class in November at ISAF’s Annual Conference.

Following the rapid international growth of Class40, this recognition by ISAF is excellent news: Class40 is officially taking its place on the international stage.

« Recognition of Class40 by ISAF is proof that the Class has become truly international, organised and serious. Class40 has come of age. It also means that the class can hold a World Championship. That is very important », says Halvard Mabire, Class40 skipper.

Michael Hennessy, US representative of Class40, observed « this is welcome recognition of the tremendous development of the Class40 over the past 4 years. »

Thanks to provisional status, Class40 will be able to hold its first World Championship, from the 18th to 21st August 2009, in Hamble, England. « The first Class40 World Champion will be crowned this summer: it’s a major step for a class », says Miranda Merron, Class40 skipper, and international representative of the Class.

The Class now has 86 boats, and 51% of Class40 members so far in 2009 are non-French*, up from 46% in 2008. The Class40 race calendar is becoming ever more international, and so international growth in membership is only likely to continue in 2010, 2011 and beyond…

* Class40 gathers 20 nations: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Rumania, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United-Kingdom, USA