Children are always an important part of the Gothenburg Boat Show. That’s why the show has now decided to sponsor a group of young yachtsmen training for the Optimist World Championships in New Zealand at the end of the year.
Qualifying for a world championship requires training and more training, but also money. That’s why the Gothenburg Boat Show is sponsoring a group of young people to achieve their big goal of doing well in the World Championships.
Since last spring the Swedish Optimist team has been in intensive training involving sailing competitions and training camps. The World Championships will be decided on an open ocean with probably strong winds and large waves, but that does not scare 13-year-old Oliver Österberg from Kullavik.
“We’re training in tough conditions. Recently we were in Denmark where it was really windy.”
Oliver is ranked as the number one Optimist sailor in Sweden and aims to be placed among the 50 best in the World Championships.
“My strength is my tactical thinking on the water. You learn more each time you go sailing,” he says.
Gothenburg Boat Show takes place from 4-12 February 2012. For more information go towww.batmassan.se
