Gazprom Cup 2013 gets special visit

by Cailah Leask on 13 Jun 2013 At the second stage of the Gazprom Cup, the Gazprom Cup, Governor of Saint Petersburg, Russia, Sergey Poltavchenko and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors at Gazprom, Alexey Miller presented prizes to 64 young sailors. The attendance celebrated five days of sun filled racing in the Gulf of Finland during the first weekend in June. The Optimist racing was a prelude to the final signatures being placed upon a cooperation agreement between the City of Saint Petersburg, Gazprom and the Yacht Club of Saint, Petersburg (SPBYC). This land mark agreement ensures that the three involved parties will work together whilst organizing Saint Petersburg based sailing events, developing sailing for mass participation and boosting the local sailing infrastructure, whilst assisting Russian sailors reach the highest accolades within the yachting world. The Yacht Club of Saint Petersburg was also celebrating the results of their Gazprom Swan 60, Bronenosec racing in the UK at Cowes. Igor Frolov, Director of Yacht Club of Saint-Petersburg who was helming the Gazprom Swan 60 finishing first Swan in the recent Round the Island race at Cowes and 13th overall out of 1,465 entries spoke about the commitment that the SPBYC has to inspiring the next generation of Russian sailors. 'If we show youngsters that in 20 years’ time they can be sailing on board Maxi class race yachts at different global destinations it is an inspiration to all of them. The Yacht Club has the goal of offering children the opportunity to become a professional, Olympic or blue water cruising sailor and the Optimist racing at the Gazprom Cup is the perfect start to their long term quests in the sailing world.'

The first race of the event also went to the Yacht Club of Saint-Petersburg with their sailor Alexander Orlov enjoying first placed glory. The male category is now dominated by the Rautu team with members in the top three positions. Conditions suited Artyom Sudakov at the second stage event now sitting on top with Petr Borovikov in second and winner of stage one and the 2012 Gazprom Cup, Leonid Pushey still in contention at third. The ladies division is also a Rautu team win with Ksenia Gromova in first, Anita Borkova drops to third place after her top place at the first stage event and in the Junior Fleet the Rautu also took top spot with Vasily Andreyev in first place and one of the youngest members of the Yacht Club of Saint Petersburg, Andrey Mikhailov, in second position. The third stage of the Optimists of the Northern Capital – the Gazprom Cup will be held from July 24th to 28th. Optimists of the Northern Capital – The 2013 Gazprom Cup – Series Schedule Event One: 25-26 May Event Two: 1-2 June Event Three: 24 – 28 July Event Four: 29 – 31 August Event website