Growth and stirring in Helsinki

Ian Williams and his GAC Pindar team is getting ready to be a part of the fleet in Helsinki © David Holm

With the M32 Series Scandinavia moving in to Finland for the first time ever the series has passed the halfway mark of the season. Team US One took a firm grip on the trophy in Copenhagen but with half of the seasons points to play for in the final two events, the Battle of Scandinavia is far from over.

In the two weeks since the previous event we've seen Rahm Racing and Wallén Racing spent quality time in Gothenburg training together with Americas Cup team Artemis Racing. "It was a perfect opportunity for us to sharpen our skills and with a change in our crew we couldn't get a better preparation for Helsinki." explains Hans Wallén skipper of Wallén Racing. His team has made a crew change where he has substituted Jonas von Geijer, who has stepped down due to injury, for match racing ace Daniel Wallberg. Wallberg who helmed the Hydra Sailing Team in the Gothenburg event sailed last year with Freddy Lööf in the series.

Other teams who have made some crew changes are the Hydra Sailing Team and Essiq Racing. Hydra has brought local knowledge to the team by flying the Finnish flag and adding Olympic gold medalist in 49er, Thomas Johansson, to the crew. Hydra who had a steep learning curve in front of the home crowd in Denmark is now aiming for the podium in Helsinki. "We proved ourselves on the final day in Tuborg Havn and now we know that we can perform. We're really excited to welcome "Tompe". He will for sure bring something extra to the team." says Michael Hestbæk from the preparation in Heernesaari.

Fresh from a new Tea Clipper Trade Route record with Maserati Sailing Team Andreas Axelsson is joining Essiq Racing and filling in from Sebastian Vedel. Axelsson was last year floater for Lööf Racing and is bringing loads of power to the young Swedish team in their hunt for a top spot.

Newcomer to the series and M32 in Helsinki is five times WMRT World Champion Ian Williams and his GAC Pindar team. With a brand new boat straight out of the factory this event will be somewhat of a learning experience for the new entry. Williams has spent some time with experienced coaches in Helsinki preparing for his first battle in the Scandinavian series, "We are entering the series mid season so the aim is to do our best, learn the boat and move up the rankings as best as we can." Williams explains and continues "With the M32 moving in to the World Match Racing Tour 2016 this is the best way to prepare for the future." With Ian will fellow Brit Mark Bulkley and the two Australians James Wierzbowski and Luke Payne sail. An interesting note is that Luke Payne sailed with US One in the Gothenburg event and on board US One we find Ricky Mcgarvie who is on Ian Williams crew on the World Match Racing Tour 2015. The series is growing and the teams are stirring the pot in the approach for the penultimate event and the M32 Series Scandinavia 2015.

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