The Zoom8 is a youth racing dinghy sailed in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Austria, the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia and Russia. It is designed by the Finn/Swede Henrik Segercrantz. The Zoom8 is considered an excellent transition dinghy from the Optimist and the more physically demanding dinghies such as the Laser, Europe and 29er, and although many attempts have been made by other classes to fill this gap, the Zoom8 dinghy is one of the few to have succeeded.
The Swedish Zoom8 Association note that the Zoom 8 is a calm, safe boat and simple enough that beginners are able to sail it.
The Zoom8 has been spread all over Sweden since 1995 followed a few years later by Denmark and these two countries have won numerous medals in the European and World Championships.
The 2006 World championships were held in Køge, Denmark and the world champions are: Magnus Kældsø (DEN) and Henriette Søster Frislev (DEN)
2002, Lake Balaton, Hungary – Karolina Wolniewicz, POL and Karl-Martin Rammo, EST
2003, Maubuisson, France – Karolina Wolniewicz, POL and Charlie Ekberg, SWE
2004, Hoorn, Netherlands – Maria Rudskaja, RUS and Fredrik Schraam, SWE
2005, Barth, Germany – Maria Rudskava, RUS and Fredrik Thaarup, DEN
2006, Hundige Havn, Greve, Denmark – Henriette Søster Frislev, DEN and Magnus Kældsø, DEN
2007, Lake Achen, Austria – Lena Hess, AUT and Thomas Palme, AUT
2008, Tønsberg, Norway – Lena Hess, AUT and Thomas Palme, AUT
2009, Träslövsläge, Sweden – Trine Bentzen, DEN and Mathias Haugstad, NOR
2010, Tallinn Yacht Club, Lohusalu, Estonia – Noora Ruskola, FIN and Carsten Faubel, DEN
2011, Hanko, Finland – Anna Munch, DEN and Pontus Dahl, SWE
2012, KSSS, Stockholm, Sweden – Anna Munch, DEN and Simon Weideskog, SWE
2013, Ran Seilforening, Straume, Sotra, Fjell, Norway – Catharina Sandman, FIN and David Bjelkarøy Westervik, NOR
2014, Åstrup, Denmark
2015, Wolfgangsee, Austria
2016, Kuressaare, Estonia (Suur katel & Roomassaare)
Børresen Bådebyggeri, Vejle, Denmark
Altair Ruspol, St. Petersburg, Russia
RMT Oy, Helsinki, Finland
Zoom 8 Wikipedia (Text) CC BY-SA