
The anniversary regatta’s first stage races have completed in Tallinn. The day was intense and emotional. The teams got first points, groups leaders declared their ambitions loudly.
Before the first race start OAO “Rosterminalugol”s yachtsmen faced problems. Strong, reaching 25 knots, north-eastern wind required reefing, with “Pegasus” mainsail being damaged during the process. Afterward, Alexander Aliev, the team leader, commented that though the opportunity to compete that day had been lost, the nuisance hasn’t influenced team spirit and aspiration to proceed competing, by no means. “We’ve fixed the sail already, therefore will come back to the races tomorrow and will strive for victory!”, noted General Director of OOO “Lavna Commercial Sea Port”.
All in all, the races opened with no incidents; the first one (race, i.e.) started little after 11 am, nearly on time. The teams left concurrently, with Liebherr and Morstroytechnology being slightly behind in their groups. As a result, they finished in the back of the peloton of yachts. Group I‘s “Loko” (Russian Railways), “Korushka” (Ust Luga Co) and Eesti Raudtee and Group II’s Boscalis and Ministry of Transport/Maritime Shipping Register came first.
As it turned out, next race brought a drama in: one of “Anchor Logistic/Ultramar” crew members fell overboard during the second rounding of the upper mark. The team carried out rescue operation impeccably: it took only several minutes to lift the yachtsman aboard. It’s important to note that life jacket prevented the racer from troubles more serious than sopping clothes.
The leaders of the second race were the same. But after time recounting the yachts positioning within Group I underwent substantial changes. Eesti Raudtee and Damen became first and second, and Russian Railways team became third. In Group II Ministry of Transport/Maritime Shipping Register team became first, Boscalis – second and Murmansk Commercial Sea Port – third.
Tomorrow’s second stage – Tallinn-Helsinki race – promises to be rather demanding: yachtsmen face tacking 45 miles due to weather conditions. We’ll learn late night tomorrow, upon finish in Finland’s capital, if the first day leaders keep their positions or the Standings will be completely revised.