Dear boys and girls all over Europe,

Your parents are probably keen classic sailors and have shown you this magazine. You yourselves may already be crew in your parents’ boat, or perhaps you have started to sail independently and may even have found yourselves an old wooden vessel which needs restoring.

You are the generation which will gradually take over responsibility for preserving and sailing the grand European classic fleet as the years progress in the next millenium.

The idea of a sailing camp or cruise with young people of your own age probably appeals to you. The king of Norway, Harald V, started in the junior department of KNS (Royal Norwegian Yacht Club) and took part in school sailing competitions and summer holiday camps down at Hankø. He became aware of his future Queen-to-be, Sonja, at one of these camps. Perhaps you too will meet your «prince» or «princess»in a sailing milieu!

In Norway, a classic cruise for teenagers has been held for the last three years, beginning at the Risør wooden boat festival and ending up in Oslo. Last year, two German boys joined the party. We welcome inquiries from parents or teenagers if you wish to take part at the beginning of August. Perhaps classic sailing cruises or camps for teenagers can be run elsewhere in Europe, especially in warmer climes!

Finally, I hope very much you will develop an interest in the history of classic yachts, because it is only when you know who designed or built them, and who has owned them, that they really become "alive".

My son Peter, now President of ECYU, but then 15 years of age, wrote the following essay at school on Colin Archer, and I brushed up his English! Can you find out about a famous yacht designer in your country?

Best wishes, Chris Ennals (Ed.)