The Solidarity Programme is a specific programme launched this year in order to support crews from countries with growing Olympic sailing level, as well as for those with the aim of running their own Olympic sailing programme. The Solidarity Programme has targeted crews interested in the challenge of competing in the 470 at international level against the most famous and high competitive crews.

This 2006 winners are:

Women

• Iulia NEGOESCU and Georgiana STOIAN (ROM)
• Dale RAE and Tiffany BARING-GOULD (RSA)

Men

• Igor IVANCIR and Dejan ANTIC (SCG)
• Sutee POONPAT and Worawit WORASAN (THA)
• Juan IGNACIO SIENRA CASTIGLIONI and Andres AZAR CHIAPPINI (URU)
• Zulueta MAURICIO and Topasio VIRGILIO (CHI)

The crews will receive one free set of sails (one mainsail, one jib and one spinnaker) each from Olimpic Sails®and discounts for additional sail orders. The International 470 Class Association will also support such crews allowing them to take part in one of the 2007 470 International Championships (World Championships - subject to the ISAF Qualification Rules - European Championships, Junior European Championships, Junior World Championship) without paying the relevant entry fee.

The International 470 Class Association thanks all the crews that have submitted their applications to the Solidarity Programme and wishes to the winning crews the best in taking full advantage of the programme as well as the Sailors Clinics, which are under scheduling for 2007.

Further information on all the International 470 Class Association support programmes is available at the class website - www.470.org.