First race of second Baltic regatta “Ust-Luga Cup” begins (photo)
The first race of the second international Baltic regatta “Ust-Luga Cup” has started today, June 6, 2013 from the Swedish island of Sandhamn. According to the reporter of IAA PortNews, media-partner of the regatta, the first race is finishing tonight in Mariehamn, the capital of the Aland Islands. The first race is 70 miles long.
The regatta started yesterday in Stockholm. During the solemn opening ceremony in Wasa Hamnen, the organizers have welcomed ten teams. Rosterminalugol JSC is the title sponsor of the event.
The following teams participate in the regatta for the second time - CSP Ust-Luga JSC (Commercial sea port Ust Luga), Rosterminalugol JSC (winner of Ust-Luga Cup 2012), Oktyabrskaya Railway (Russian Railways branch), SMM JSC, PUL Trans JSC and FSUE Rosmorport. Baltinvestbankbank, Mining Technologies LLC, GC Nord crews have joined them this year.
Ust-Luga Cup fleet is partly represented by the yachts that participated in the regatta in 2012. This year the racing fleet is joined by Bavaria and Elan yachts not to mention the legendary Peter I yacht that sailed along the Northern Sea Route.
Valeriy Izrailit, the organize committee chairman, has welcomed regatta participants with the following words: “We all have been waiting for this day and there has been so much effort put into making this regatta happen. Originally, “Ust-Luga Cup” was thought of as a 10th year port anniversary event, but you did not let us stop just on that. The second regatta would not have been possible without your energy and strive to compete. I truly believe that a great future is waiting ahead of us! I am welcoming those who were “Ust-Luga Cup” competitors last year as well as the new teams and wish the best luck to all of you!”
“Last year when we received the invitation there were no doubts whether we should take part in the race. Right away we said yes and we won! Right now it’s a matter of honor to defend the title” – told the team leader Alexander Aliev.
Following the solemn opening ceremony a 40 mile training voyage was made from Stockholm to Sandhamn Island.
The team sheets are available here >>>>
