 With 38,000 boats in 75 Nations, the International 470 is a great legacy of the legendary French Naval Architect Andre Cornu. The Cornu Family was in sailing from as far back as 1910 but in 1961 Andre saw the need for a Moderate Fibreglass planning dinghy, ideal for Families; Father’s and Son’s, Mothers and Daughters, to sail in a competitive fashion. In less than 2 years he had designed and launched the 470. Fast, Athletic, Tactical, Fun and able to be raced in 3-35 knots it was a winner from the start.
 In the years that followed it became a favourite in Europe but also in the USA and Australia. By 1969 there were 8000 boats and the IYRU granted 470 International status. By 1972 there were more than 14,000 boats and with worldwide distribution it was selected as an Olympic Class.
 Today 470 International honours Andre Cornu’s legacy and recognises excellence in the sport of Youth Double Handed Dinghy Sailing by making a grant to the Winners and World Champions in the Boy’s and Girls divisions of the ISAF / Volvo 2005 Youth World Championships. This year to be sailed in Busan Korea in early July, 470 Internationale will support each Champion Team to the value of 1000 Euro each towards entry fees and expenses incurred in attending the 2006 Int470 Worlds (China) or Int470 Junior World Championships.(Germany)
470 Internationale President, Darren Dunkley-Smith said, ` Andre Cornu nurtured his own son’s sailing career to a 505 Class World Championship in 1961 and I’m sure that Andre would be pleased that 470 Internationale was continuing to assist the Champions of tomorrow with their dreams.
We are very pleased to join with the Family Cornu in awarding the Andre Cornu Grant and we are certain that it will assist both Boy’s and Girls ISAF Youth Champions to be their best.`
THE JUNIOR WOMEN’S SUPPORT PROGRAMME
It is still difficult in many circumstances for our junior women to get the support needed to attend Major 470 Championships. There are many fine female skippers that struggle at the lower end of the fleet in their formative years.
470 Internationale Vice President Alberto Predieri brought a strong case to the Management committee that it was time to assist some of the `Not so Famous` sailors in the fleet. Alberto said ` We need to help the younger women attend these championships and build their skills. What better way than selecting the youngest of the Women teams and making their goals that little bit easier to attain.`
 At this years Int470 Junior (under 22) World Championships in St. Petersburg Russia, the two youngest female teams (combined age skipper and crew) will receive a grant of 900 euro each towards expenses that will make it easier for them to continue in their campaigns.
It would be very pleasing to see the support programme’s sailors go onto great things, but it will be enough to see them sail against some great sailors, make friends and learn new skills that they will be able to use over a lifetime.
For Further details consult www.470.org
Darren Dunkley-Smith President, 470 Internationale.
Email: Darren@470.org
Skype: darren470
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