Pärnu, The Final Show Down

04.08.07

A brilliant evening’s entertainment at the Kursaal, Pärnu (“summer capital of Estonia”) last night Friday 3rd August was the high point finale of the Baltic Sprint Cup 2007. The midnight round-up was marked by a spectacular fireworks display offered by the city of Pärnu whose mayor Mr. Mart Viisitamm was official patron of the event.

Sven Herlyn, CEO of main sponsor Bank DnB NORD said: “The Baltic Sprint Cup was designed to foster good relations and understanding in the tradition of the old trading links between the Baltic countries. It is heartening to see this spirit so well exemplified in the Baltic Sprint Cup 2007.” Sven Herlyn, himself a sailor, took part in leg one of the event from Copenhagen – Sassnitz.

Deputy Mayor Vambo Talu welcomed the crews to the Kursaal.

The five-leg series joining six member countries of the EU featured a wide variety of weather with mainly medium-fresh offwind legs and testing near-calm sailing in legs 1 (Copenhagen – Sassnitz)  2 (Sassnitz – Gdańsk) and 3 (Gdańsk – Klaipėda).  The leg 2 start was postponed in the face of a forecast 60-knot-plus weather “bomb” of which the rogue depression rapidly left the race area and dissipated leaving light variable easterlies in its wake. Legs 4 (Klaipėda – Ventspils) and 5 (Ventspils – Pärnu) except for the initial windward legs, were high speed spinnaker reaches and runs where10-knot boat speed averages were typical.

Dawn arrivals at Pärnu were welcomed by harbour master Andres Tamm and Event Director Henning Rocholl.  First arrival TUI was received in person by Deputy Mayor Vambo Talu.  Each boat sampled their first Pärnu hospitality courtesy of Saku beer (a popular Estonian brew) at the dock. 

“We greatly enjoyed the stopovers, especially the Baltic States and Poland” said a crew member of Deep Blue  “the people are warm and friendly, the places really interesting.  We are so pleased to know better our European neighbours’ countries”.

Henning Rocholl: “We are delighted to have crews from Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Canada and elsewhere, in the fleet. As well as enjoying a great regatta, many of our sailors are influential members of the business community who may not have visited all the countries before - for sure they will have noted the possibilities for commercial connections during our tour.  Youngsters draw added value, too.  Our many young sailors have made friendly connections in new places which will serve them well in the future.”

Race Director Alan Green on behalf of the Baltic Sprint Cup organization announced thank-you mementos presented to:

• Vamoro Talu, Deputy Mayor of Pärnu
• Egon Elstein, Commodore Pärnu Yacht Club
• Hans Pajoma, CEO Pank DnB NORD Estonia
• Hendrick Elstein
• Peeter Volkov, International Jury member and former Commodore, Pärnu Yacht Club
• Pat Healy, Chairman of the International Jury who travelled with and gave invaluable support to the organizing team throughout the regatta
• Menno Meyer, International Judge, Netherlands
• Henri Rossolin, International Judge, Brasil
• David Brunskill, International Judge, Great Britain
• Anders Poksi, International Judge, Estonia
• Andreis Tamm, Marina Master, Pärnu Yacht Club
• Tina Hiller, Pank DnB NORD Estonia
• Maris Heinaru, Pank DnB NORD Estonia
• Külli Haav, Estonia, member of Race Committee for entire series
• Deika Schütt, member of BSC organizing team for entire series

and thanked all of the many other organizations and individuals who had contributed to the success of the Baltic Sprint Cup 2007.

Special appreciation by the sailors was shown to sponsors:

• RügenFisch, Sassnitz (complimentary breakfast at Sassnitz)
• Saku Brewery (supplies of Saku beer)
• Hanse Nautic (suppliers of nautical charts and accessories)
• Ernst Kabel Druck GmbH (suppliers of high quality print)
• Jeantex Sportwear GmbH & Co. KG (supplier of team uniform clothing and heavy weather gear)
• Solon AG, (major manufacturers of solar energy products and sponsor of the stopover at Sassnitz)
• Bank DnB NORD whose CEO Sven Herlyn proposed the original idea for the Baltic Sprint Cup, and who also took part in the current series.

The Baltic Sprint Cup races under ORC Club, the simplified offshoot of IMS.

Trophy Winners:

• 5^th prize overall: Meltemi (Harald Graf Saurma)
• 4^th prize overall: Philomena (Eggert Schütt)
• 3^rd prize over all: Schüddelfrost (Friedrich Böhnert)
• 2^nd prize over all Chaos Quarante (Thomas Nielsen)
• Champion over all legs class B: Chaos quarante (Thomas Nielsen)
• Champion over all legs class A: Frühstücksdirektor (Jörn Bock)
• 1^st prize: Winner overall: Frühstücksdirektor (Jörn Bock)

Special Awards:

• Baltic Sprint Cup Award: Emil Reiseschwein (Stefan Hummelt)
• Youth Award: Schüddelfrost (Friedrich Böhnert) –
• Team Award: Team Schüddelschwein (Schüddelfrost & Emil Reiseschwein)
• Speed Award: Frühstücksdirektor (Jörn Bock)
• Comfortina Prize: Meu (Jan Fiand)
• Baltic Country Award: Tuule (Kristjan Mugra)