PRESS RELEASE
A specimen copy is kindly requested. Flensburg, 12th of September 2013
Great atmosphere, but no wind
Match Race abandoned, new attempt tomorrow
Sometimes everything seems to come together and then there is still one thing that upsets the plan. Due to a lack of wind the Nord Stream Match Race in Flensburg that was planned for today had to be abandoned. After several start postponements the race committee tried to at least start a fleet race but after exceeding the time limit of 45 minutes this had to be abandoned, too. Now the organisers have scheduled two fleet races for the Gazprom Swan 60-yachts for tomorrow, 13th of September at 3.30pm. Hence it is definitely worthwhile to come back to Marina Sonwik tomorrow, too, or to at least follow the Online Live Stream on www.nord-stream-race.com.
Everything was ready and prepared: The race village and the stands were set up and the spectators were awaiting eagerly the Nord Stream Nations Cup-Match Race. Only the wind was missing and so the race committee had to postpone the start for one hour.
To fill the gap for the waiting public ashore, Klaus Lahme and Alexander Prinz zu Schleswig-Holstein, both from Norddeutscher Regatta Verein, commented on the events together with sport journalist Jürgen Muhl. Using the Online Stream that was being broadcasted live on a big screen they explained the special features and characteristics of match racing to the 500 spectators and also got insights from sailing experts like the German Starboat-sailor Robert Stanjek or the former America’s Cup-sailor Nico Jeschonnek.
Following another postponement race officer Claus-Otto Hansen from Flensburger Segel-Club decided to cancel the Match Race-series and instead start a fleet race with all four Swan 60-yachts. At the start at 4pm about 5 knots were measured across the Förde. „It was indeed possible to sail in those conditions but then the wind stopped again and the race had to be abandoned“, said Leif Tom Loose, Trimmer from Team Germany. „I agree with the decision from the race committee.“
Hansen: „The Swan 60 are great boats and we would have loved to see them sailing for a little bit longer. However, the conditions have to be fair for everyone. Unfortunately that was not the case today.“ Therefore he is even more happy that all skippers have agreed to start again tomorrow.
From 3.30pm the five Gazprom Swan 60-yachts will sail two fleet races. Everyone is keeping their fingers crossed of course for more wind and exciting races.
Arne Hirsch, Event Manager from the organising Norddeutscher Regatta Verein, is very satisfied with the day despite the adverse wind conditions: „Of course we would have hoped to be able to offer the spectators more sailing on the Förde but unfortunately the wind is one of the few factors we have no influence on. Nevertheless we are very happy that so many people have found the way to the Marina Sonwik and we are hoping that they will come back tomorrow. The late start will allow for the people to come along after work, which is great.“
More information on www.nord-stream-race.com
Photos and video footage: Nord Stream Race will have a photographer and a camera crew on site who will follow the whole event. Photos will be published at www.nord-stream-race.com. In addition we offer video footage that you can download from the news aktuell footage-platform http://footage.presseportal.de.
For requests, please contact:
Nord Stream Race
in charge for public relations
Headquarters | Hamburg Maritime Communications
Annette Krüger
phone +49 (0)40 87 87 999-18
mobile +49 (0)171 8810 883
The race: The Nord Stream Race is a non-stop regatta that covers more than 800 nautical miles across the Baltic Sea. The regatta starts on September 15th 2013 from Glücksburg. The route passes east of Bornholm and then follows the Nord Stream gas pipeline which is also the name giver of the race. The finish line is just a few miles off Saint Petersburg. The Race is open for the Gazprom Swan 60 Class and yachts under ORC-handicap. Depending on the size and type of the respective yacht and on the wind conditions the boats will be on the water for approximately four to six days. Organiser of this top-class event is the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (NRV) together with Saint Petersburg Yacht Club (SPBYC), supported by Flensburger Segel-Club (FSC). The Nord Stream Race was initiated in 2012 and serves the transnational connection between the Baltic Rim countries on a sporting level.
Partners of Nord Stream Race:
Saint Petersburg Yacht Club: The Yacht Club of Saint Petersburg (SPBYC) is based at Hercules Yacht Harbour within the heart of Russian sailing capital and was established in 2010. The yacht club aims to develop sailing as a sport across the Russian nation as well as valuing the duty to keep traditional maritime history and sea ethics alive through a sustainable worldwide legacy program for future generations. High profile honorary members include His Majesty Constantine II, King of Greece. SPBYC is a meeting place for like-minded individuals who all have a love and respect of the sea and is now ready to become a world renowned yachting hub. www.yacht-club-spb.ru
Norddeutscher Regatta Verein: The Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (NRV) founded 1868 not only is the largest yacht club in Germany but at the same time it is also a major organizer of national and international sailing events. One of the main objectives today is the development of our young sailors. We cultivate our traditions that have evolved from over 140 years of club history and at the same time we look ahead to master the many challenges yet to come. www.nrv.de
Nord Stream: Nord Stream is a natural gas pipeline which links Russia and the European Union through the Baltic Sea. The first of Nord Stream’s two parallel pipelines became operational in November 2011, the second in October 2012. The total capacity is enough to supply more than 26 million European households. This international joint-venture project by major energy companies Gazprom, BASF SE/Wintershall Holding GmbH and E.ON Ruhrgas AG, N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie and GDF SUEZ S.A. is an important contribution to long-term security of supply and a milestone of the energy partnership between the European Union and Russia. The Nord Stream Pipeline offers a relevant route and context for the race. Due to its dimension and active stakeholder and public engagement, Nord Stream has become a symbol of international cooperation as the Nord Stream Race also intends to. www.nord-stream.com
Contact:
Ulrich Lissek, Communications Director, Mobile: +41 79 874 31 58
Jens D. Müller, Deputy Communications Director, Mobil: +41 79 295 96 08
Email:
Gazprom: Gazprom is a global energy company with its businesses extending across Russia and throughout more than 40 countries worldwide. Gazprom holds the world's largest natural gas reserves. The Company's share in the global and Russian gas reserves makes up around 18 and some 72 per cent respectively. Gazprom has long believed it has a responsibility to give back to the communities it works within and its social goals to promote a healthy lifestyle, an harmonious upbringing of a physically strong generation and worthy performances at international sporting events were a natural fit with the Nord Stream Race. www.gazprom.com
Marinepool: Marinepool is widely regarded as one of the leading sailing clothing and maritime lifestyle brands with sales in 43 countries worldwide and is the leading producer of life jackets for the leisure and sport market in Europe. The company’s vast product portfolio comprises performance sailing clothing and outdoor garments, functional fashion for sailing and water sports as well as lifestyle clothing lines for women, men and kids in a unique maritime style. Marinepool is partner of world-class teams and events such as the Extreme Sailing Series™, Energy Team France and the Sailing Team Germany. www.marinepool.com
Ernst Kabel Druck: Ernst Kabel Druck GmbH, Hamburg, is a Hanseatic print shop with a long tradition, well known for quality and innovation. We produce a large variety of printing products from business reports to A1-posters as well as extraordinary finishing options like stamping or embossing. Ernst Kabel Druck uses state-of-the-art machines and CtP technology to enable us to provide high quality services even under tight deadlines and to match big campaigns with each other. Contact: Henning Tebbe. www.kabel-druck.de
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