Swedish J/70 Sailing League Season Premiere

Swedish J/70 Sailing League © Daniel Stenholm

The series of four competitions sailed on the fleet of 12 J/70's that were to start this past spring has been reduced to two competition weekends, where the first will be decided in Örnsköldsvik from August 14th to 16th.

Sweden's best racing clubs are vying for the championship title in the two competitions on the program this year, as the Corona Pandemic put an end to sporting events this spring. The first round will thus be decided in first weekend and the final will be sailed in Västerås from September 4th to 6th. Västerås will thus be the host during the final weekend, just like last year. There will then be a qualifier for the Allsvenskan 2021 in Marstrand 3-4 October.

This year's Allsvenskan consists of eighteen clubs. Last year, the favorites at KSSS won and they aim for the same gold again this year.

"This year, it will be harder because the favorite team will be decided in only two competitions. One of our strengths has always been that we have been able to deliver at a high level over a longer series of four competitions. I think several of the other clubs with fewer sailors will have a certain advantage, but we like when it gets tough. Our goal is always to be in the absolute top, and it is important for us to secure a place in next year's Sailing Champions League. For the first event, we are sending a really sharp crew with Björn Hansen at the helm. So, there is no doubt that we want to be part of the fight at the top," says Niklas Edler who is captain for the KSSS Allsvenskan team (the Royal Swedish Yacht Club).

During three days of competition, the ambition is run 45 races, which means 15 races per club team. The races are judged directly on the water, so first to the finish wins. The short races mean that small mistakes can be expensive and sometimes chances can pay off. This often means that it is extremely challenging sailing.

Each crew must consist of one person of each sex and at least one sailor under 25 years of age. It is the clubs - not the individual sailors - who decide who will eventually win the gold.

How did it turn out for the teams this past weekend? GKSS won the first part of the Allsvenskan Segling competition.

GKSS was in a class of its own. Inside the harbor in Örnsköldsvik, the Gothenburgers sailed stably and in the 16 races they sailed, they were on the podium 15 times; and they won ten of them! Wow, basically a total "white-wash" of the competition.

"We grew as a team through the weekend and learned a lot from each other. Because everyone sails skiff and 49er on a daily basis, we spoke the same language on board even though we are new to the boat," says Marcus Anjemark from GKSS. "It has been a fantastic long weekend in Örnsköldsvik with perfect weather and varying winds. We enjoyed and look forward to more regattas here in Ö-vik. Extra fun that it was such an outstanding live broadcast that further strengthened the event."

After three days of sailing in an Örnsköldsvik that offered fantastic sailing weather, it was GKSS with Carl P Sylvan (helmsman), Marcus Anjemark, Oscar Andersson and Elin Sevedag who won the first part of the Allsvenskan. The key to the victory was probably that there were two jointly trained crews on board.

It was only in Friday's light winds that GKSS did not dominate. But when the wind increased on Saturday and also on Sunday, when it was steady at 5-8 m/s and up to 10 m/s in the villages, GKSS dominance also increased.

The team sailed incredibly stably and took home nine first places in the series where a full 15 rounds could be completed. Before the finale, where the six best teams competed for double points, only the reigning Allsvenskan champions from KSSS, with Björn Hansen at the helm, could threaten the Gothenburgers. But, then KSSS needed to beat GKSS by four places just to win...almost an impossibility.

But, KSSS missed the start and GKSS was able to sail to the finish line as the winner in the finale and complete the win. Third was the newcomer Runmarö Yacht Club.

"We have had a fantastic event with world class on everything and very good jobs from officials, organizers and sailors. It has been exciting, tight and very sporty sailing. I am happy with everything," said the regatta manager Claes Lundin. "It has been extra fun to follow the prestigious meeting between GKSS and KSSS. Maybe KSSS and Björn Hansen are better tactically, but this weekend GKSS was sharper and not least they had better boat speed.

More Swedish J/70 Sailing League information here.