GKSS wins Swedish J/70 Sailing League - Amal
by J-Boats 1 Sep 2024 20:29 AEST
Swedish J/70 Sailing League © Daniel Stenholm
The third regatta for the Swedish J/70 Sailing League was conducted in Amal, Sweden with Åmålsvikens Sailingällskap as the organizing club. The weekend regatta enjoyed beautiful sailing conditions on the Vänern, just outside the great harbor in Amal.
During the weekend, the competition became a duel between Åmålsvikens Sailingällskap and GKSS (Gothenburg's Royal Sailing Society). Before the grand finale race, GKSS was leading with a point over Åmålsviken.
The finale was quite dramatic. Both teams were trading the lead and both knew in the double-points race that the first boat to finish of the two would win the competition.
Before the last downwind leg, it was Åmålsviken that led by a mere four seconds over GKSS. On the downwind leg, the two teams made a split across the race course. GKSS got better gusts on the right side of the course that allowed them to sail past Åmålsviken and win by a mere boat length!
"We had very good crew work all weekend, both when it was light winds and strong winds. Even when we ended up behind, we have been able to catch up and didn't have any real problems," said Marcus Westerlind, skipper of the GKSS team.
There were variable and tricky winds at the Vänern all weekend.
"The conditions in Åmål were about as you could expect. It was shifty and had a lot of changes in wind strength and direction. It was important to be on your toes at all times. You can never take anything for granted in those conditions," Marcus continued. "You feel incredibly well taken care of here in Åmål. The officials do everything they can to make you enjoy yourself as a sailor. It is such a great setup here!"
The top five results in Åmål were GKSS (Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club) first, SSÅV (Segelsällskapet Åmålsviken) in second, Hjuviks Båtklubb in third, Halmstads Segelsällskap in fourth, and Ekerö Båtklubb in fifth place.
Swedish J/70 Sailing League Series Overall
In the overall standings in Allsvenskan 2024, it is KSSS (Royal Swedish Yacht Club) and Halmstad Sailing Club at the top of the leaderboard. Third place is GKSS, fourth is Stenungsunds Sail Club, and fifth is Ekoln Sailing Club.
The final competition will take place from September 6th to 8th in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. For more Swedish J/70 Sailing League sailing information.