Introduction

THE EUROPE DINGHY

HISTORY

The "Moth" appeared in Europe in the 1930´s.

The French Federation called for an Architect's submission in 1963 to monotype the "Moth".
Alois Roland from Belgium sent drawings of the modificated boat (on the basis of Pierre Marique's drawings) and won the submission. He called his boat the "EUROPE".

Very soon the French and Belgian Federations recognized the monotype and Alois Roland started the construction. (West system).
The Belgian Europe Class is very active in the very first years and champions like Paul Maes, P. Van Genabeek, Van Godtsenhoeven, François de Harlez, J.P. Bernard for Belgium and Bartoli, M. Lambot, Stafler, Cospen Demoulin, Hervey and Devillers for France are the first ones to write their names in the Honour Role.

Daniel Bertels starts to organize ladies' regattas, the first step for that Olympic Class for ladies.

Alois Roland's company bankrupted and since M. Cristalli produces the wooden boats.

The International Europe Class Union was founded in 1963 to represent interests of Europe dinghy sailors worldwide.
In 1976 the ISAF granted the Europe dinghy International status.
In 1988 the IECU applied to the ISAF for Olympic candidacy of the International Europe dinghy.
In 1989 the Europe dinghy was chosen as the single handed Olympic Class for ladies.

WHY SHOULD I SAIL A EUROPE ?

The secret of Europe Class sailors success? It's simple; a one-design hull and a developmental rig. The boat can absorb a wide range of body types, from lean and tall to shorter and wider ! The possibility of considerable rig trimming, like cunningham, outhaul, inhaul, kicker, traveller, mast rake and centreboard position, together with various stiffness of mast, fuller or flatter sails, contribute to have a high knowledge of rig characteristics needed for future Olympic Classes. It is common to see a light weight woman sailor passing a heavier weight man sailor in fresh conditions. If you get the rig right, you go faster irrespective of how heavy you are !

EASY TO TRANSPORT

The Europe dinghy is very easy to transport. The hull weights only 45 kg. and with a length under 3,4 m. permits to load the boat on the roof of a car.

MEN AND WOMEN CAN TRAIN AND RACE TOGETHER
Adapting the rig to their weight and height, sailors can easily train and compete at the same level. Regardless of the wind speed, your skills and not your weight will take you to the lead ! Also the Social Part of Sailing is much more appreciated by the sailors, that are motivated to attend the trainings and the regattas
The Europe dinghy is ideal for a large number of sailors. In our last World Championship Class statistics we can read that the range of weight and height are the following for:

These figures corresponds to the SAME event, same dates, same racing area.

Why on the men one of the heaviest sailors won the Worlds and at the same tome on the ladies it was one of the lightests ?

BECAUSE THE EUROPE DINGHY FITS ALMOST ALL BODY SIZES !!!

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - All Participants

Men, from 53 to 85 Kg. / from 165 to 196 cm.

Women, from 46 to 76 Kg. / from 155 to 188 cm.

TOP 10 at the Worlds.

Men, 65 to 84 Kg, a difference of 19 Kg !

Women, 53 to 70 Kg, a difference of 17 Kg !

YOUTH EUROPEAN Ch. - All Participants.

Men, from 50 to 85 Kg / from 163 to 197 cm.

Women, from 48 to 72 Kg. / from 152 to 178 cm

Important features of the International Europe Dinghy are the excellent trimming facilities which make it a practical possibility to adjust the boat to the sailor's height, weight and experience. The mast and the sail can be selected and adjusted to suit the sailor and enable fair competition and ease of handling without the use of harmful means of compensation such as weight jackets. Young light sailors enjoy the Europe dinghy because they can control and race the boat even in strong wind and waves, same as the heavier and tallest sailors.

THE EUROPE DINGHY IS CHEAP AND LONG-LASTING.

Hulls, masts, booms, sails, foils, etc... are made to be used during many, many years. The Europe mast actually last almost forever. Also sails are made with materials that will allow you to race two or three complete seasons ( not 2 or 3 events... ) with it, even at the maximum level of competition. And all with a similar cost as other single handed dinghies in the market.

THE EUROPE CLASS IS VERY ACTIVE.

We organize every year some International Events with over 100 boats participating. The World Championship and the Master and Youth European Championship are the Major Events, but we are also present at the Kiel Week, the Torbole Meeting, the Blanes Grand Prix, the Régate de Noel, etc... The Class has Intenational Training Camps in Winter (in Easter in Lake Garda ) with over 50 sailors.

THE EUROPE CLASS RUNS SERIOUS EVENTS

The International Europe Class Union (IECU) veils for the serious application of the RRS on the Events, with accurate measurements, very experiences International Juries, International Race Officers, etc...

In the last fourty years the Europe dinghy has increased in quality as a fast attractive racing dinghy. The Class is firmly determined to grow through further geographic expansion.