Baltic Sprint Cup preview

by Baltic Sprint Cup on 7 Apr 2012 Baltic Sprint Cup, the longest offshore race continuous series in the Baltic Sea, kicks off on Thursday 19th July and concludes on Saturday 28th July 2012.

The first boats are afloat and the first races done. Ice is gone and a Spring breeze is abroad. 'We are happy that after five successful events (2005 – 2009) and a three year break the sailors are more than ever keen to follow the 'Baltic Trade Tradition', said NRV Commodore Andreas Christiansen. In the inaugural event of 2005 the former executive vice president of NORD/LB Hanover, Sven Herlyn, had said, 'We are building the regatta series on traditional business relations with the Baltic rim' - the spirit continued in all the following events.

General Race Director Henning Rocholl pointed out, 'the Baltic Sprint Cup has developed to a significant international offshore regatta created to promote friendly links between sailing people in the Baltic rim countries. By now five race series have taken place, visiting 21 ports in nine European countries with 197 starters and 1.501 crew members racing over a total of 4,076 miles. Yachts of 14 different nations have taken part. The farthest away came from the British Virgin Islands and won the event in the racer division in 2008. Principal language for race organization is English and an ISAF international jury is appointed'.

'This year is a kind of a relaunch', added Arne Hirsch, Marketing Manger of the organizing club Norddeutscher Regatta Verein. 'In almost two months we will come up with an official shore-side program to be organised jointly between the cities and ourselves. The close contact we have through our long-standing reputation in the Baltic Sea has been a significant help in this work.'

'17 yachts at this time is great' said Race Director Alan Green, '..and now we look forward to more! As I know from several friends that there are more owners ready to send off their online entry application form, it would be very helpful for our organisation if they will kindly register without further delay. Everyone should be aware that hotel rooms for crews and/or guests will soon be in very short supply - it's holiday season in all ports.'

The web pages for all five stopover ports are now open. It is strongly recommended that competitors book necessary hotel rooms as soon as Baltic Sprint Cup website