FEATURED REGATTAS: July 16, 2008
 Similar to article appearing in the July 47 e-Times 

I never thought that I would quote the cosmetic queen, Elizabeth Arden, but, “repetition makes reputation and reputation makes customers.”  If there is any Olympic Class fast at work building its reputation and growing its customer base, it’s the 470 Class.  As he approaches the Olympics and the end of his term as President of the International 470 Class, Alberto Predieri, is proud of the programs that the Management Committee has put in place and the improvements in class participation and media relations that have materialized.

The conscientious effort to improve media relations continues.  With a class press officer and a photographer, the class website, e-Times and coverage of championships are improving and reaching broader audiences.  Every time an e-Times is distributed, more people become aware of the programs that are helping the class to grow:  the Olympic Pathway Solidarity Grant, the Andre Cornu Grant to the winners of the girls’ and boys’ double-handed crews at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship, the Solidarity Programme and the Juniors Support Program.   Enthusiasm for the Olympic Pathway Solidarity Grant Program enabled half a dozen new countries to participate in the 2007 ISAF World Sailing Championships in Cascias last year.  Predieri, as leader of the Class, proudly boasts, “ the 470 was second only to the Laser in the number of countries represented at the 2007 World Championships with 48 and 36 countries represented in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.”

The upcoming Olympics is further testament that the programs for growth are working.  Predieri points to the “outstanding performance of New Zealand’s Carl Evans and Peter Burling over the past two years” as proof of the success of the youth development programs.  Graduating from the 420’s, the young Kiwis finished 11^th in the 2008 Worlds and qualified for the Olympics.  “They are in a great situation.  They are young.  Sometimes the dominant sailors don’t perform as expected at the Olympics.  They may be able to capitalize on the unpredictability of the event,” commented Predieri.  He also noted the “tremendous improvement of some sailors as the Olympic Games approach, especially Japan’s Women’s 470 team of Ai Kondo and Naoko Kamata, who reached the top of the ISAF rankings” in the beginning of July.  “Qingdao is a challenging venue that will showcase the strengths and abilities of the best sailors,” said the Class president.

Predieri’s tenure as president ends in November.  He would be honored to continue in his role and further  the programs that are” fostering  the growth and stabilization of the Class in at least 55 and 45 countries for the men’s and 45 countries for the women’s” disciplines.  Training centers and training clinics before junior events are among the initiatives being considered to support sailors and class growth. 

With regard to the introduction of sailing’s World Cup format, Predieri says, “ISAF is still defining the details.  It might take time to get the sport to the level of other sports, but I am open to any solution that, at the right time, may increase the importance of the World Cup.  It’s my personal view that if the Class World Championship dilutes the value of the World Cup then we should consider changing the World Championship.  It is important to give up some rights especially if evidence shows growth and improvement.”

As the finale of the Olympic quadrennium draws near, Predieri and the 470 Class continue to grow the reputation of the Class by supporting programs that are working and being open-minded to considering new and exciting changes to enhance the future of the sport and the Class.