About the Europe
DesignDesigner: Alois Roland
Location: Belgium Year: 1960 Design Type: One Design Sailor Weight: 55-85kg Hull Weight: 45kg Hull Length: 3.35m Hull Width: 1.38m Mast Length: 4.90m Mainsail Area: 7.00sq.m |
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History
In 1963, the Fédération Française de Voile called for submissions to create a one-design variant of the development Moth class. Alois Roland from Belgium submitted his design, based on Pierre Marique's Europa Moth design and won the submission. He called his boat the Europe. Very quickly, the French and Belgian federations recognized this one-design and Alois Roland began construction.
Over the years the class gained traction throughout Europe, with large fleets of both male and female sailors. In 1992 , the class debuted at it's first Olympic games, with women from 24 nations competing. The class continued in the Olympics in 1996, 2000 and 2004, paving the way for an entire generation of female sailors such as twice gold medallist from Great Britain, Shirley Robertson, as well as two time World Sailor of the Year, Carolijn Brouwer (NED) and many more!
Despite it's deselection as an Olympic class, the Europe is still used in many European and Scandinavian countries as a youth boat, with many young sailors transitioning from Optimists into the Europe. Great examples of this can be seen in Denmark, with 2009 Europe World Championships Gold and Silver medallists both going on to compete in subsequent Olympic Games, in the Laser Radial and Nacra 17 classes respectively.
Over the years the class gained traction throughout Europe, with large fleets of both male and female sailors. In 1992 , the class debuted at it's first Olympic games, with women from 24 nations competing. The class continued in the Olympics in 1996, 2000 and 2004, paving the way for an entire generation of female sailors such as twice gold medallist from Great Britain, Shirley Robertson, as well as two time World Sailor of the Year, Carolijn Brouwer (NED) and many more!
Despite it's deselection as an Olympic class, the Europe is still used in many European and Scandinavian countries as a youth boat, with many young sailors transitioning from Optimists into the Europe. Great examples of this can be seen in Denmark, with 2009 Europe World Championships Gold and Silver medallists both going on to compete in subsequent Olympic Games, in the Laser Radial and Nacra 17 classes respectively.
