Sailors rush to sign up for Baltic cruise in company
by World Cruising Club on 29 Sep 2013
Stockholm - city built around water Jack Binder
There has been a superb response as entries opened for World Cruising Club's new ARC Baltic sailing rally, with 15 boats registered within the first hour of launch. The rally, which will be a six-week cruise in company through the Baltic, has appealed to sailors from many places including, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Sweden and Australia.
Kiel, Germany will be the start port for the inaugural rally in July 2014, with boats sailing through Europe's 'east sea' to Russia and back to the finish in Mön, Denmark during July and August 2014.
The full rally route includes the Estonian capital Tallin, the former Russian Imperial capital St. Petersburg, the Finnish capital Helsinki, the Finnish provincial capital Mariehamn, the Swedish capital Stockholm, and the Danish capital Copenhagen.
En route, the rally sails through some of the most beautiful and interesting sights in this unique cruising ground. World Cruising Club's rally format has been adapted for the Baltic and the individual legs will be short, one to two days, with the focus being to experience the cultural history of the region and enjoy the stunning beauty of the Swedish and Finnish archipelagos.
Over six weeks the rally will sail close to 1600 nautical miles, with an itinerary that allows flexibility for the prevailing weather encountered.
The rally will be led by experienced Baltic and round-the-world sailor, Hans Hansell on board his Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49. Hans, who has been sailing in the Baltic for many years and is keen to share his experience with other sailors. 'I am looking forward to sharing this delightful cruising ground, rich in culture and nature, with the ARC Baltic sailors,' said Hans, 'The rally will be an excellent opportunity to enjoy unique scenery, visit historic towns, explore ashore and make many new friends long the way.'
The rally package includes 28 nights docking, tours ashore in every stopover, plus crew dinners, yacht club memberships and agents fees for the Russian Federation.
Entries for ARC Baltic are open to monohulled yachts from 8.23-18.30m (27-60ft), with registration and information via www.worldcruising.com/arc_baltic
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