The first regatta of the new Baltic IRC series, took place in Kerteminde Denmark. The Big Boat Challenge had almost similar numbers of entries under IRC and Danish Handicap, so it was a success to the Baltic IRC Open concept.

In the entry list there was the TP 52 FRAM owned by HKH Harald of Norway and the Cookson 50 Camilla, owned by Ole Martin Vordal also from Norway as the favorites in Class 2. The Cup lived up to the expectations with perfect sailing. In Class 1, for the smaller yachts, there was entry by Jesper Bank in his new Faurby 396 race, and Peter “Blur” Gustafsson in his J 109, amongst 3 Farr 30 and more.

On Saturday the fog lay its heavy hand over the race course and racing was impossible. The Judges responsively decided, that it was a “no go”, and the disappointed sailors agreed. Much of the success was up to the party on Saturday evening then and nobody was let down J.

After a quick decision, there were announced three races on Sunday, instead of the two planned, and that helped on the mood of the many sailors and rescued the day.

It was not the only rescue necessary, as the Danish entry Visione 3 broke a complete new see rail and dropped 6 man in the water at the same time, in the first race on Sunday. All the 6 crew were rescued by the remaining crew and the skipper on Visione 3, so they could come back and fight, to finish the race. In the IRC Class 2, there were different winners in every race of the 3 on Sunday, this speaks for the rule. Winner in Class 2 1. race, was the King 40 Magic from Norway, the 2. Race was won by the TP 52 Fram, while the 3. was in the hands of the Cookson 50 Camilla. With a 3-1-2 score, Fram was announced winner of Class 2, in front of Camilla, with the Danish entry Swan 45 Tarok in 3. Place.

In Class one, the German IMX 40 Veolia was sailing very well and won 2 races of 3. The final Class winner was, at the end of the day, the Swedish entry Blur, with Peter Gustafsson as Skipper Jesper Bank came on 2. Place and the Norwegian owned First 35 Smil, was in the 3. Place.

Funny to see, that in the 4 Classes sailing (DH included), there was one winner from Denmark, one from Germany, one from Schweden, and one from Norway. That speaks for the Baltic IRC Open series as well and looks like some fun racing to come.

The event in Kerteminde was absolutely a success due to a very well working organization and the prizes for the winners, was also worth coming for. We can already start planning for the event in 2011, but in the meantime, the next event of the series is already going on, in the North Sea, with the Pantaenius Round Skagen Race. And in 1½ weeks time, we are back in Kerteminde for the Round Funen Race, with a lot of exiting entries in the IRC Class.

For more info, pictures, videos and the results, please visit www.bigboat.dk.

Per Weiskvist