Finnish J/70 Sailing League report
by J/Boats 1 Oct 2020 02:09 NZDT
The Finnish J/70 Sailing League © Pepe Korteniemi
The Finnish J/70 Sailing League, like all the others in Europe, also created an abbreviated series of events due to pandemic restrictions. In their case, they created a two-event qualifier in September over successive weekends, with the finale taking place in the first weekend of October. Recognizing that a lot of Finland is above the Arctic Circle, it's a good thing they've enjoyed remarkably great, warm weather within the rapidly diminishing daylight in the early fall! Nevertheless, the Finnish sailors were extremely enthusiastic to get a chance to get back out on the water in September.
In the first regatta, hosted in Naantali, Finland, they managed to pull off a 17-race series for the dozen teams from across Finland. Winning that event was Alandska Segelsallskapet team, posting all podium finishes- winning 7 races along the way. Second was the Esbo Segelforening Team with 36 points, also winning 7 races but having to include a few "send it down the mineshaft" finishes. Third was Nylandska Jaktklubben with 46 points.
The second event took place at Kulosaari Brando. The fleet was blessed with remarkable conditions, 60s F, blowing 10-17 kts all weekend, and sunny! A rare thing for fall sailing in Finland! Winning that event was Nyländska Jaktklubben, followed by Brändö Seglare in second, and Åländska Segelsällskapet in third place. The top six, including Mariehamns Seglarförening, Wasa Segelförening and Turku Yacht Club have all qualified to sail the finale in October.
"We had time to experience all possible weather during the weekend. We had good competition in sunny weather. We have to go to the finals quite humble, because there are tough Teams and the conditions in Mariehamn," reflected the winning skipper- Thomas Hallberg. Their team consisted of Hallberg, Juhana Rintala, Robert Nyberg and Christoffer Silén. The team has experience in both offshore and Olympic classes.
The BS 2 team, that includes Ville Korhonen and Edvard Bremer, represent the younger, talented generation of sailors. In 2019, the duo won World Championship silver in the International 29ers Under 19 years of age!
"We are happy with our weekend sailing. It felt good to do well in the home club competition. We expect a tough race and cold weather from the finals," laughed both Korhonen and Bremer.
More Finnish J/70 Sailing League information here.