The International 505 Dinghy Class Association has held a World Championships every year since 1956 and on only three occasions were they sailed in Africa – all three in Durban, South Africa in: 1979 when Americans Steve Taylor and David Penfield won; in 1994 when Australians Chris & Darren Nicholson won and in 2000 when Swedes Krister Bergstrom and Thomas Moss were crowned World Champions.
The 2015 505 World Championships hosted by the Algoa Bay Yacht Club and the South African 505 Class Association will be sailed in Port Elizabeth, South Africa from 23 March to 3 April 2015.
The Worlds Regatta will be preceded by a pre-worlds regatta comprising of six races over three days, with a minimum of three races to make a regatta. This will also serve as the 2015 South African National Championships.
The 2015 505 World Championships will comprise nine scheduled races held over seven days. There will be no more than two races scheduled per day. Three races are required to constitute a championship series. Only one race will be sailed on the final day unless at the start of the final day’s racing only one race has been completed.
The racing program will allow for three days of racing followed by a rest day and then three further days of racing. Two races will be scheduled for the first day, and one race for the second race day. Further race days will alternate between two races and one race each alternate day.
Based on previous World Championships organisers are expecting a minimum of 70 teams from all over the world. Previous world champions have come from these countries: Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Will 2015 see an African Champion?
505 sail training in Durban:
