About the Europe
Designer: Alois RolandLocation: BelgiumYear: 1960Design Type: One Design
Sailor Weight: 55-85kgHull Weight: 45kgHull Length: 3.35mHull Width: 1.38mMast Length: 4.90mMainsail Area: 7.00sq.m
Sailor Weight: 55-85kgHull Weight: 45kgHull Length: 3.35mHull Width: 1.38mMast Length: 4.90mMainsail Area: 7.00sq.m
Guide-Europe-English version- V20-02.pdfIn 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.
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 raced in the Olympics in 1996, 2000 and 2004, paving the way for an entire generation of female sailors, including twice gold medallist from Great Britain, Shirley Robertson, as well as two time World Sailor of the Year, Carolijn Brouwer (NED) and many more!
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 raced in the Olympics in 1996, 2000 and 2004, paving the way for an entire generation of female sailors, including 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. Particularly great examples of this post-Olympic Europe pathway 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.
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. Particularly great examples of this post-Olympic Europe pathway 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.
