PRESS RELEASE

FD celebrates fifty-year jubilee.

The ex -Olympic Flying Dutchman sailboat class was born fifty years ago. The design by the Dutchmen Conrad Gülcher and Uus van Essen has known a hectic start. Within five years over 400 boats had been built worldwide. The design was sensational at that time and Olympic status was unavoidable. Right from 1960 till 1992 the FD figured in the Olympic program.

It was a great disappointment to the Class when the FD in 1992 became the victim of a political game within the IYRU, now called ISAF, the International Sailing Federation. It seemed that the Finn dinghy would be omitted in favor of the Laser. Exchange of a single-hander for another single-hander. But the Finn dinghy lobby proved very strong and before the FD realized it she was thrown out of the Olympics.

Now 10 years later the class is still very much alive. Especially in Germany, the Netherlands and Italy there are still sizeable fleets. A topper was the Worlds 1998 with 120 FDs from 20 nations participating. For the future World Championships in Portugal, Australia and USA are planned.

On 11. 12 and 13 October of this year a Jubilee event will be held in the Netherlands. On the Loosdrecht lakes, not far from Amsterdam, the FD sailors will compete for the Cornrad Gülcher Trophy. Highlight is a party on Saturday 12th October on board an Amsterdam harbour cruise vessel.