The Equipment - The Yngling (pronounced "ING-ling") will make its debut as an Olympic-class boat at the 2004 Olympic Regatta in Athens. The small keelboat was inspired by the then 14-year old son of designer Jan Herman Linge of Norway.  Yngling, which means 'youngster' was developed by Linge in 1967, shortly after his previous design, the Soling, had been through the selection trials to be chosen an Olympic boat.  Although similarities exist between the two designs, the Yngling is not a scaled down version of the Soling as many have suggested. With more beam, higher freeboard and fuller body-lines, the Yngling is a smaller, lighter and more easily handled boat.

Designed for a crew of three with an optimal overall weight between 400-500 lbs. makes the Yngling suitable for average-sized people, and with an approximate price of $25,0000 with sails, it is priced less than similar-size racing keelboats.

The Entrants - There will be a total of 15 entries for the Women’s Keelboat (Yngling) event.  Qualified to date are the following countries:  AUS, BER, DEN, ESP, FRA, GBR, GER, GRE, ITA, RUS, UKR, USA.  The remaining countries will be determined at the final qualifying event:  Yngling Women’s World Championship, scheduled for May 7-15, 2004 in Spain.

The Competition - Notable foreign competition will include three time Women’s World Match Racing Champion Dorte Jensen with crew Hellen Jespersen, and Rachel Kiel (DEN), who finished second at the 2004 Yngling Women's World Championship; 2003 Yngling Women’s World Silver Medallists Ulrike Schuemann, Winnie Lippert and Wibke Buell (GER); and 2000 Europe Olympic Gold Medallist Shirley Robertson with Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb (GBR).

The Schedule -