Sail-World.com : Nord Stream Race - Inaugural edition now underway

News Home

Video Gallery

Photo Gallery

Sail-World.com : Nord Stream Race - Inaugural edition now underway

Nord Stream Race - Inaugural edition now underway

'The Nord Stream fleet, leaving Saint-Petersburg, at the start of the first leg of the Nord Stream Race 2012, from Saint-Petersburg to Helsinki.' onEdition © Click Here to view large photo

The inaugural Nord Stream Race is now underway having started at 15:40 from Saint Petersburg, Russia. For Leg 1, the Swan 60s will race a 198 nautical mile course overnight to Helsinki, Finland. The start took place from the World Heritage site of Tolbuhin Lighthouse, Kronstadt, an important location for Russian mariners.

Speaking on behalf of the Organising Authority, the Yacht Club of Saint Petersburg – Russia just before start time, Vladimir Liubomirov, also skipper of Team Russia, shared his views on this ground breaking offshore race for Russia:

'We are delighted to welcome some of the best sailors from Europe; I think it will be a great ten days of sailing. This first race across the Baltic Sea is important as a lot of regattas are held in the Mediterranean in the summer; we want to show the world Saint Petersburg and Russian sailing. It is important to show everyone that we are able to hold a race of worldwide importance, I am excited by the next few days and want to thank my friends from Europe for coming to our city.'

With winds of 12 knots from 220 degrees at start time, the fleet lined up on starboard with Team Russia closest to the Committee Boat. Team EU found space in the middle of the line tailed by Team France whereas Team Holland chose the pin end.

The race to the first mark was close with Team Russia leading around the windward mark, closely followed by Team Europe, Team Holland and finally Team France. It will be a close contest between Team Europe and Team Russia if the first mark rounding positions continue.

The Nord Stream fleet, leaving Saint-Petersburg, at the start of the first leg of the Nord Stream Race 2012, from Saint-Petersburg to Helsinki. - onEdition © Click Here to view large photo

Tim Kroger, Skipper aboard Team Europe, knew his crew were in good shape, commenting, 'We are excited to get started today. We had a positive briefing, everyone is on their toes and we will give it a big push as we leave Saint Petersburg for Leg 1. The breeze will keep picking up all day and could reach 20 knots before Helsinki, it is going to be a long reach before we turn towards Helsinki where we head onto a beat for 15 miles and then we should arrive early Friday morning'.

Team Holland has already demonstrated they are a player for a top three position in the Nord Stream Race. Pieter Keijzer, Skipper of Team Holland highlighted the predicted challenging conditions of this race, 'We are expecting tricky conditions in the Baltic; it is going to be tough at temperatures of minus five degrees at points.'

Team Germany was unable to compete in the first leg of the race as the boat incurred damage to the bow thruster during the delivery to Saint Petersburg which presents a potential safety issue. Safety of the competitors is paramount for the Nord Stream Race, hence the Organising Authority's decision not to have Team Germany take part in leg one. Team Germany is currently making their way to Kotka where the boat can be hauled and the repair undertaken. The team will join the fleet for Leg Two to Visby (SWE) which starts on Monday, 22 October at 1300 in Helsinki. Team Germany's Skipper Thomas Jungblut has filed a protest to request a fair resolution for the scoring on this leg and this will be heard by the International Jury during the Helsinki stopover.

Leg 1 of the Nord Stream Race marks just under 200 nautical miles of racing following the route of the new Nord Stream pipeline through the Baltic Sea crossing waters from Russia to Finland. Points from this leg will be carried forward to secure an overall prize fund win of 100,000 Euros.

Nord Stream Race website

by Cailah Leask

Tweet

Click on the FB Like link to post this story to your FB wall

http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?nid=102999

5:58 PM Thu 18 Oct 2012GMT

Click here for printer friendly version
Click here to send us feedback or comments about this story.

News - USA and the World

U.S. Qualifying Series Regatta - Diverse fleet prepares for action by Stuart Streuli,

For 24 yacht clubs from around the country, the first hurdle to winning the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex has been crossed. The New York Yacht Club is pleased to announce the clubs that have been invited to compete in the third U.S. Qualifying Series for the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup (USQS).... [more]

Classic Yacht Symposium - Registration opens for sixth edition by Herreshoff Marine Museum,

The Symposium will include presentations on the Centennial Herreshoff designs: the Newport 29, Buzzards Bay 25, and Buzzards Bay Boy's Boat, also known as the 12 1/2.... [more]

Four-peat for Cal Maritime Keelhaulers in Port of LA Harbor Cup by Betsy Crowfoot, Los Angeles, CA

Is there such a term as ‘four-peat?’ If not, Cal Maritime has invented it – with their fourth consecutive win in the Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup.... [more]

Rolex Sydney Hobart: Raw footage from the ABC helicopter by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/nz, Devonport, NZ

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia presents a series of five videos taken from a helicopter in the last Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. The race begand in light to moderate air, on the second day the breeze filled in giving fast downwind sailing conditions and on the third day the southerly gale hit, along with big swells and breaking seas.... [more]

Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous starts March 20 by Jill Campbell,

The Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous continues to go from strength to strength with twenty sailing superyachts signed up for the four day event. Organized by the YCCS and BIM from 19th to 22nd March in Virgin Gorda, the event is sponsored by the Italian luxury brand Loro Piana and plays host to three days of coastal racing for a fleet of sailing titans.... [more]

Marine & Composites Industry Career Day set for March 22 by Cynthia Goss,

The ninth Annual Marine & Composites Industry Career Day takes place on March 22 at the IYRS Newport campus. This free one-day event, hosted by IYRS School of Technology & Trades and the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA), gives employers an opportunity to connect with career seekers—but as far as employers are concerned, Career Day can’t come soon enough.... [more]

Clipper Round the World Race - Great Britain sets time into Qingdao by Ruth Harrington,

In the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, the first teams have started to arrive in Qingdao, China, following one of the most challenging legs of the edition of the race: Great Britain, Mission Performance and Derry~Londonderry~Doire arrived at the Olympic Sailing Center this morning (10 March) local time.... [more]

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - Stuck in a wind hole by Clipper Ventures,

In the Clipper Round the World Race, with the wind dying right off, several teams are reporting being stuck in a wind hole and doing everything they can to keep the yachts moving. After strong winds of 60 plus knots and big waves for the last five days, the skippers and crews are finding the light sailing conditions extremely frustrating as they race to Chinese Olympic sailing centre, Qingdao.... [more]

RORC Transatlantic Race - Int'l Maxi Association shows support by RORC Event Press,

The International Maxi Association (IMA) has joined along with the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) in the organisation of the inaugural RORC Transatlantic Race and will be awarding an exquisite vintage sterling silver trophy to the Line Honours winner.... [more]

America's Cup: Team Australian Launch and Iain Murray interview by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/nz,

Geoff Waller of Boats on TV presents a video and speeches on the occasion of the christening of Team Australia's AC45, followed by an interview with Team Australia CEO, iain Murray. For a breath of fresh air into an America's Cup challenge this is a must see.... [more]

52 Super Series - Quantum Racing completes double title slam dunk by 52 Super Series,

2014 52 Super Series - Doug DeVos’ Quantum Racing completed a double title ‘slam dunk’ in the sweltering Miami heat and light winds as they collected the US 52 Championship title with a solid final day and also clinched the US 52 Super Series title, adding the Miami regatta win to their event victory in Key West in January.... [more]

J/105 Midwinter Championship - Terry McLaughlin dominates by J105 Class Association,

At the J/105 Midwinter Championship, hosted by Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas, Terry McLaughlin dominated the fleet. Sailing Avici with Paul Parsons, Kevin Taylor, Jeff Cooke, Emmett Dickheiser and Monica Parsons, McLaughlin (recently named Sail Canada’s Rolex Sailor of the Year) totaled only 22 points in the 11 race series.... [more]

52 Super Series US Championship Miami - Azzurra confirmed runner-up by Azzurra,

In the 2014 52 Super Series Azzurra is confirmed runner-up in the US circuit dedicated to the high-performance TP52's, the highest-level monohull class in the world. The circuit will come to the Mediterranean on May 20th, with the Rolex Capri Sailing Week.... [more]

Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup 2014 - The pressure is on by Betsy Crowfoot, Los Angeles, CA

At the seventh annual Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup, hosted by Los Angles Yacht Club, the pressure is on for the Cal Maritime Keelhaulers, vying for their fourth win in as many years.... [more]

America's Cup: Second US sailor joins Oracle Team USA by Oracle Team USA,

American Andrew Campbell is the newest recruit to join Oracle Team USA and he is making his debut with the team during its training camp in Sydney Australia this week. Following up his college sailing with Olympic campaigns in the Laser and Star class, Campbell sailed for the United States in the Laser in the 2008 Olympic Games in China. And it’s from a relationship formed in the Laser that he... [more]

Images from the Sydney Harbour Regatta: 18's, sportsboats and AC45's by Beth Morley, Sydney, NSW

Sydney photographer, Beth Morlley presents a medley of shots from this weekend's HH Sydney Harbour Regatta. Included are images of both Team Australia and Oracle Team USA's AC45's and a final shot of the series for the JJ Giltinan - with Gotta Luv it 7 and Asko... [more]

Clipper Yacht Race fleet fight to be fastest into Qingdao by Clipper Ventures,

In the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race 2013-14, with the wind dropping and conditions easing, the yachts in the middle of the fleet have increased their sail plans as they race to be the fastest boat into Qingdao.... [more]

2014 JJ Giltinan: The Gotta Love It 7 team become champions by Frank Quealey,

The Gotta Love It 7 team of Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Scott Babbage officially became the 2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff champions on Sunday,after a magnificent regatta performance which saw the team score five wins and one second place from the six races which count towards the final points.... [more]

52 Super Series Miami Regatta - Tough day for Azzurra by Azzurra,

In the 2014 52 Super Series Azzurra has a tough day and loses its overall lead a day before the Miami regatta comes to a close but still holds on to the top spots of the scoretable.... [more]

Audi Melges 20 Miami Series - Taylor, Lucas and Brown awarded honors by Melges 20,

For Audi Melges 20 Bacardi Miami Sailing Week 2014 (BMSW) champion John Taylor, aboard Ninkasi, congratulations are in order. Taylor sailed the event with tactician Bill Hardesty and crew Joey Mello.... [more]

JJ Giltinan Trophy: Full delayed coverage of Race 7 by Richard Gladwell Sail-World.com/nz, Auckland, NZ

Race 7 of the JJ Giltinan Trophy got underway at 3.00pm on Sunday - see the full delayed coverage here Although the winner is decided with one race to go, the battle for the minor places was wide open. Could the Kiwis get on the podium? Or will it be a clean sweep? Follow the action here.... [more]

2014 Bacardi Cup - Grael & Pulfer are champions by Jan Harley,

The mantra 'a bad day on the water is better than a good day at the office' will resonate with many of the sailors who have been racing at the fifth Bacardi® Miami Sailing Week Presented by EFG. While yesterday the breeze was higher than allowed for competition by some class rules... [more]

34th St. Maarten Regatta - The fleet sets sail for Marigot on Day 2 by Heineken Regatta,

Superb sailing, point-to-point distance racing, classic round-the-buoys windward/leeward courses, perfect spinnaker sets, botched spinnaker douses, and even a busted halyard that ended the racing for one of the event's largest yachts just moments after it began: It was a wild day.... [more]

2014 52 Super Series - Quantum Racing lead into Super Sunday by 52 Superseries,

2014 52 Super Series - Quantum Racing go into the final day of racing at the 52 US Championship in Miami with a lead of two points after rescuing a valuable third place from what proved to be one of the most tactically testing races yet. They took places down the final fluky run of Saturday’s only contest to establish slender advantage over rivals Azzurra... [more]

J/105 Midwinter Championship - Terry McLaughlin lengthens advantage by J105 Class Association,

After another five-race day at the J/105 Midwinter Championship Terry McLaughlin lengthened his advantage. Sailing Avici with Paul Parsons, Kevin Taylor, Jeff Cooke, Emmett Dickheiser and Monica Parsons, McLaughlin (recently named Sail Canada’s Rolex Sailor of the Year) notched another round of consistent scores to total just 20 points in 10 races heading into the final day of competition.... [more]

JJ Giltinan: The race for the Masters - Hamlin and Winning by Sail-World,

Interview with two of the great names of 18fter sailing - Howie Hamlin (USA) and John Winning (AUS) - on their long tine involvement in the class and their on the water rivalry for the Masters Trophy at the JJ Giltinan Trophy in Sydney.... [more]

JJ Giltinan: Graham Catley on the development of the Auckland fleet by Sail-World,

Long time 18ft skipper, Graham Catley, talks with Bob Killick on the development of the New Zealand 18ft fleet, and the aspirations of the class in New Zealand.... [more]

JJ Giltinan Trophy: Full replay coverage of Race 6 by Richard Gladwell Sail-World.com/nz, Auckland, NZ

Race 6 of the JJ Giltinan Trophy got underway at 4.00pm on Saturday - see the full delayed coverage here... [more]

Where is ISAF World Sailing Championship 2018 going to be held ? by Dan Ibsen,

Three cities in Europe have submitted bids for the ISAF World Sailing Championships in 2018. It is reported that a fourth bid has been received in ISAF after deadline from an unknown city in Asia. Bids to presented in Southampton on March 25.... [more]

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet close in on Qingdao by Clipper Ventures,

In the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2013-14 the wind has abated slightly and the waves have decreased marginally, providing a little respite to the crews as they close in on Qingdao.... [more]

JJ Giltinan Trophy: Gotta Love It 7 win fifth race and overall title by Frank Quealey,

The Gotta Love It 7 team of Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Scott Babbage scored their fifth race win of the 2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship, sponsored by Sydney City Marine, when they easily won Race 6 on Sydney Harbour today. Along with today’s win, they also secured the title as the only other team capable of equaling their score, Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon, David O’Connor,... [more]

2014 52 Super Series - Azzurra masters of the strong breeze in Miami by 52 Super Series,

2014 52 Super Series - After some of the breeziest, most challenging conditions of recent TP 52 regattas in either Europe or the USA, Azzurra’s scoreline for the day of two second places and a win takes the Italian flagged team back into the overall lead of the 52 US Championship off Miami Beach, but their margin is still tight, only one single point ahead of Quantum Racing.... [more]

Bacardi Sailing Week - Wild and windy day for Audi Melges 20 Fleet by Melges 20,

Day two at Bacardi Miami Sailing Week 2014 (BMSW) hosted by Coconut Grove Sailing Club and supported by Melges USA, delivered premium racing conditions and two more races for a total of five complete.... [more]