The Radial Open & Women World Championship began this Saturday with a special opening cerimony that gathered the 39 participating countries in a confraternization spirit. Each delegation parades with its own flag, what was later hoisted, as the marching band of Fortaleza´s Air Base played the brazilian national anthem. The peak of the cerimony was the ''encounter of the waters''. A sample of water from each country was poured by the athletes in a common vase. The mixture that celebrates fraternity among nations was thrown at sea, making the waters of Ceará a simbol of international tapestry. The cerimony took place at the Marina Park Hotel, host of the event.

The celebration was attended by Vice Admiral Luis Correa, Third Naval District Commander;Roberto Klein, Port Captain; Ricardo London, president of the Ceará State Sailing Federation; Philipe Nottingham, president of Brazilian Laser Association; Jeff Martin, executive Secretary of International Laser Class Association (ILCA); Gil Bezerra, president of Marina Park Hotel Group, and Francisco Barros de Oliveira, vice commodore of Fortaleza´s Yacht Club.

‘’To all of us at the organization, it´s a great pleasure offer this weather, this warm waters of Ceará, for you to sail’’, said Philipe Nottingham welcoming the 165 sailors that will compete at the Radial Open & Women. In his speech, Jeff Martin bowed the sponsors and stood out the effort of the staff event. ‘’This is a special and historical championship, and it would not be possible without the hard work of all sailors, volunteers and the Brazilian Laser Class Association’’, detached the ILCA secretary.

This Sunday, the radial class elite has its first day of competition. The dispute goes on until December 9th, with two daily races in the afternoon. The 39 countries at the world championship are Argentina, Austrália, Belguim, Bermuda, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canadá, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Great Britain, Índia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, México, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Rússia, Slovein, Spain, South África, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United States, Venezuela and Virgin Islands.

After the Radial Open &Women, The Laser Wolds 2005 continues with the Radial Youth, from December 10th to 17th. One hundred and fifteen sailors under 18 are expected to challenge the title.

The Laser Worlds 2005 includes four world championships: Sênior (September 19th to 28th), Máster (September 30th to October 8th), Radial Open & Women (December 3rd to 9th) and Radial Youth (December 10th to 17th). The events are organized by the International Laser Class Association, Brazilian Laser Class Association, Ceara State Sailing Federation, Brazilian Sailing Federation and Yacht Club of Fortaleza. The sponsors are: Ceara State Government, thru the Sports and Youth Bureau, Marina Park Hotel and Hamburg Süd. The event also has the support of the brazilian navy, Banco do Nordeste do Brasil, Mayor of Fortaleza, Unilink, Rio de Janeiro Yacht Club and Pirata Bar.

RADIAL OPEN & WOMEN SCHEDULE
December 4th to 6th – Qualifying races
December 7th to 9th – Championship title races
December 9th - Award cerimony
The races will be held from 12:00 pm to 17:00 at the Marina Park Hotel.