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12 Metre World Championship:
Day 1: Close Racing, Cloud Watching and Challenging Conditions
Follow the racing LIVE (or recorded playback) via Sport Rec Race Tracker
HELSINKI, FI (August 17, 2021) – Official competition for the 2021 EVLI 12mR World Championship commenced today with two races held in the Gulf of Finland, hosted by Nyländska Jaktklubben, NJK.
In Race 1 keeping an eye to the sky paid off for the hometown Blue Marlin (FIN-1) team, skippered by Henrik Andersin (Kotka, FI) who won the first race in light and shifty winds. On the first weather leg, Vim (US-15) took an early lead after crossing Wings (K-15) on starboard with the 9-boat fleet in pursuit on the right side of the course. Blue Marlin (FIN-1) was mid-fleet when Andersin noticed “the clouds looked different than usual.” Anticipating a significant wind shift, he split from the fleet taking the left side of the course and was first to the top mark followed only by Flica II (K-14). These two held their positions downwind taking first and second place respectively followed by Vim (US-15) who finished third.
After a pause for course adjustments, one abandoned start and one general recall, Race 2 got underway in a building 15-17 knot breeze with choppy seas. Wings (K-15) helmed by Philipp Skafte-Holm (Copenhagen, DK), held an early lead until crossed by Vim (US-15) on starboard during the second weather leg. Vim (US-15) sailed to the right side of the course while Wings (K-15) continued to the left closely pursued by Jenetta (K-1) helmed by Thomas Müller, (Flensburg, DE) who eventually overtook them at the last mark rounding. Vim (US-15) skipper, Patrick Howaldt said: “It was very close racing in difficult conditions, the first three boats finished within one boat length of each other—this is a very closely-matched and competitive fleet.”
With combined score of 4 points Vim (US-15) won the day, Blue Marlin (FIN-1) finished second with 5 points and Jenetta (K-1) claimed third place overall with 7 points. Racing continues tomorrow (Wednesday) with 2 races planned. Follow the action LIVE (or recorded playback) via Sport Rec Race Tracker.
August 17, Race Day One photos by Erik Lähteenmäki | Sailpix.fi
<click on any image to view full size>
RESULTS
2021 12 Metre Worlds
Day 1 (August 17) 2 Races
12mR – Vintage (9 Boats)
1. Vim (US-15), Helmuth Henning, Patrick Howaldt & Ditley Wedell Wedellsborg, Copenhagen, DK: 3 – 1 ; 4
2. Blue Marlin (FIN-1), Henrik Andersin, Kotka, FI: 1 – 4; 5
3. Jenetta (K-1), Thomas Müller, Flensburg, DE: 5 – 2; 7
4. Flica II (K-14), Alexander Falk, Hamburg, DE: 2 – 5; 7
5. Wings of Cowes (K-15), Philipp Skafte-Holm, Copenhagen, DK (with Finnish & Danish crew): 7 – 3 ; 10
6. Nini Anker (N-15), Christoph Avenarius, Hamburg, DE: 4 – 6; 10
7. Vanity V (K-5), Mikael Stelander, Helsinki, FI: 6 – 7; 13
8. Thea (D-1), Jacob Holst, Copenhagen, DK: 8 – 8; 16
9. Vema III (N-11), Johan Troye, Oslo, Norway, NOR: 9 – 9; 18
(end)
NOTE: Spectators may view the beautiful Vintage 12mR fleet in transit to the race course between 9.00 – 9.30 each morning and returning after completing 2 races at approximately 15.00 each afternoon. Conditions permitting, the 12mRs will parade through Helsinki Harbor under sail after racing (approx. 15.00) on Friday, August 20.
Please see the complete Schedule here.
Presenting Sponsor
The 2021 EVLI 12 Metre World Championship is presented by EVLI Bank, an investment management firm headquartered in Helsinki, Finland.
Supporting Day Sponsors are: Baltic Yachts, Keisari, Normet, Red Sky Yachts, Roschier, Scandic and Stanton Chase.
Additional Products & Service Providers include: Brandscape, Delicatessen, Fazer, Fiskars Group, Helsinki Helsingfors, Interbrands, Järvikylän, Jouko Lindgren, Kruunu Herkku, NOHO Nordic Hospitality Partners, North Sails, Sassan Ruokakassi, Suomen Jäätelö, Veikko Laine, Villi, and Windlass Creative
ABOUT NYLÄNDSKA JAKTKLUBBEN (NJK)
Founded in 1861, the Nyländska Jaktklubben, NJK is Finland’s premier yacht club as well as its oldest registered sports organization. NJK has been the forerunner of Finnish yacht racing culture and has a long history with the Metre Classes. The Clubhouse, located on the beautiful island of Blekholmen is situated in Helsinki’s South Harbour, adjacent to the city center with berths for 125 yachts. NJK accommodates their 2500+ members, berths 440 sailing yachts, 90 dinghies and 374 motorboats at their two main harbours in Helsinki as well as at an additional 10 outstations in the Finnish archipelago, with the most westerly on the Åland Islands.
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL 12 METRE ASSOCIATION (ITMA)
The 112 year-old International 12 Metre Class encompasses a living history of racing yacht design by the world’s foremost naval architects including Olin Stephens, Clinton Crane, William Fife III, Philip Rhodes, Johan Anker, Ben Lexcen and more who pushed their designs to the very limits of innovation. The resulting boats represented the pinnacle of yacht development from 1907-1987 for the highest levels of international sailing competition– the Olympic Games (1908-1920) and the America’s Cup (1958-1987).
The 2021 EVLI 12mR World Championship is a sustainable event that takes a stand on social, economic and environmental issues. We have created a Sustainability Action Plan, which will enhance social and economic well-being and minimize the carbon footprint of the regatta.
WE WANT TO USE & PRODUCE ONLY WHAT IS NEEDED AND NOTHING MORE!
For more information on the 12 Metre Worlds visit https://12mrworlds.com/
Follow us on Facebook #12MetreWorlds2021, @12mRWorldChampionship
CONTACTS:
Event Chairman
Henrik Andersin
Media Inquires
Kim Weckström