This year’s edition of the annual Fördewoche held off Flensburg easily ran up to it’s reputation of being the top autumn event in the Baltic area. With winds varying from rugh gusts up to 33 kts to near calm conditions, the waters of the Flensburg Fjord was the place to be for every keen racer.

Starting off on Thursday, the participants in the “hanseboot cup” saw lots of breeze gusting up to 33 knots TWS, delivering challenging conditions to deal with. With some kites being blown apart, one crucial decision in deed was to choose whether to take the risk of fliying a chute or to play it safe and leave it. The strong westerly pushed the fleet downwind out of the Flensburg Fjord with some participants reaching speeds up to 17 Knotes – in flat water!

Corresponding to the fast, spectacular ride out the Flensburg Fjord, the way back upwind proved to be as challenging as beating upwind in the upper 20s can be. At the end of the day, after 40 nautical miles being sailed, everybody ensured it was worth it; autumn sailing at it’s best.

9 Yachts in close racing off Elsinore - Denmark's Swan 45 Tarok 7 with overall lead in IRC class

As part of the "Swan Challenge" as of the "Baltic IRC Circuit" the invitational "Baltic Sea Challenge" took place off the beatiful coastline of Elsinore, Denmark between the 11th and 13th of August.  9 Yachts from three baltic Nations made it to Elsinore to enjoy two days of close racing. Organized by the Elsinore Yacht Club, the teams found almost perfect sailing conditions, a keen social program and good food next to the Royal Quay. Royal Danish Yacht Club’s yacht "Tarok 7", a 45' Swan with a team beeing lead by Erik Berth who were awarded as winners of the competition  in class IRC.

Kalev Yacht Club’s yacht Forte brought home the gold medal and 
the title  of Finnish Champion from Baltic Offshore Week

The international Baltic Offshore Week Regatta held in Pirita, which was also the fifth stage of the Offshore Sailing Estonian Cup of the EYU and Open Finnish Offshore Championships in ORC class, ended on  Sunday, August 7th. During the offshore and coastal race as well as five short windward-leeward races held during three days the best results among the Estonian yachts were shown by Kalev Yacht Club’s yacht Forte with the team of Jaak Jõgi who were awarded as winners of the competition as wellas with the title of Finnish Offshore Sailing Champion in class ORC 1.

The Færderseilasen is the world's largest overnight regatta, with more than 1100 boats taking part. From Oslo's harbour, south to the Færder lighhouse and back to Horten, this most spectacular of Norwegian yacht races involves the entire boating population of the country.

This years line- up saw an impressive amount of boats taking part in this joyful regatta around the waters of Oslo: For its 64th anniversary, the Faerder Race united 895 yachts for a race from Oslo to the Faerder lighthouse and back.

The Færder race fleet ranged from 100-year-old wooden classic boats, to fast racing yachts, superlight catamarans and standard cruisers, making it fun for everybody who competed.

Class IRC saw 6 entries gathering from Denmark, Sweden and Norway to enjoy close racing under the handicap of IRC.

Hardly no one around the german Offshore- Scene knows this event. Big mistake. With the annual “BigBoat Challenge” taking place simultaneously to the “Nordseewoche”, competing in both events gets complicated  but: Kerteminde was sure worth a visit.

By way of change, we a board “Inschallah” decided not to go to Heligoland but to seek our racing upbeat in Denmark this year. Sailing the “Classic Fyn Rundt” at first, Funen impressed by the total lack of any sailable conditions. No wind! Fair enough, the waters around the Danish island make a wonderful landscape to enjoy. Just make sure to have enough fuel a board!

With the “Classic Fyn Rundt” and the “BigBoat Challenge” following each other by just five weekdays, all signs were pointing to Kerteminde this year. Especially with the “BigBoat Challenge” being a cutting edge event. Taking place since 2009, this young but exclusive invitational regatta delivers top class inshore yacht racing to the “Baltic Circuit”.

Final results of the "Nordseewoche" and the "BigBoat Challenge" are now online! 

Final Standings "BigBoat Challenge"

Final Standings "Nordseewoche"

Coverage of "BigBoat Challenge"

As the day draws to a close, both the Kerteminde based „BigBoat Challenge“  as the „Nordseewoche“ off Heligoland completed a great day of racing.

Clear skies and winds around 10 kts made the scene off Kerteminde as the competitors of this year’s “BigBoat Challenge” crossed the starting-line for the first of today’s three races.

Separated in four starts (DH 1 - 3, IRC), close racing could be provided inside each group, as shifty winds and difficult currents made racing quiet demanding for the whole fleet.

“In regard of our crew work and boathandling, this was a good day,” said Kirsten Harmstorf, Skipper of the German all-female entry “Tutima”.

Starting this Friday, the 10^th of June 2011, the Big Boat Challenge being held at Kerteminde is one of the top regattas available in the Baltic area. Every year at whitsun, 50 yachts gather off Kerteminde to enjoy big boat racing at it’s best.

Kerteminde officials keep the entries to a maximum of 50 teams to guarantee competitors and competition on highest levels. Last years entries saw King Harald V. of Norway taking the overall victory in IRC- class with his modified TP 52 “Fram XVI”, struggling to keep norwegian Cookson 50 “Camilla” in second place.

As in last year, the "Big Boat Challenge" is part of the "Baltic-Circuit" racing series.

So are the races off Heligoland at the annual “Nordseewoche”.

racing off Kerteminde again! The "Big Boat Challenge" is about to get started. With the final entry- list  being published, this years line- up sure makes up to the reputation of this unique regatta. 

As in last year, the "Big Boat Challenge" is part of the "Baltic- Circuit" racing series. Everyone can enter, it is free of costs and offers a great possibility to enjoy top level offshore- racing across the whole baltic- area. Online- Entry

Keep in mind:
every rating certificate needs to be deliverd by Friday, 10th of June, 18:00 hrs

To increase everyones pleasant anticipation make sure to have a look at the official Big Boat Challenge Teaser- Videoclip

The schedule for Big Boat Challenge 2011 reads as follows: