Nord Stream Race makes a big splash in the heart of Helsinki
by Nord Stream Race 3 Jul 2019 16:15 BST
23 June - 5 July 2019
The Russian Team – Inshore-Races - Nord Stream Race 2019 © NSR / Andrey Sheremetev
The Nord Stream Race - the international sailing competition, which connects the countries Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Russia - connected sailors, guests and spectators at a big festival of sailing and cultural events in Helsinki.
Just 100 meters away from the city waterfront, five impressive yachts thrilled the crowds with some very competitive and close races. From Helsinki, the Nord Stream Race sets out on its final offshore leg and is eagerly awaited in St. Petersburg.
Once again, the Nord Stream Race has proven how competitive yacht racing can provide thrills for fans and spectators. Sailing on a triangular course very close to the Helsinki shoreline, the five international teams competed in some thrilling Inshore Races. Over 30 international guests joined the races on board the yacht. For the spectators ashore, the racing was still close enough to provide a big sporting spectacle in the heart of Helsinki. Not even a heavy rain shower could dampen the spirits of those following the races so intently.
On Tuesday evening the Helsingfors Segelklubb invited 120 guests to the Race Dinner. Following the motto "Connecting the Baltic Through Sports", many sailors from Helsinki were welcomed, among them the painter Lina Vonti (24). She introduced her painting for the great gala on Friday, July 5th in St. Petersburg. The Russian team celebrated their day's victory with a Russian "Hurray", and Alexey Zaytsev, Managing Director of Nord Stream AG personally congratulated her: "Of course my heart beats a little more for my own people, but I wish I all the teams good luck and sportsmanship on the final stage."
Elena Solovyeva, Head of Projects St. Petersburg Yacht Club, was pleased with the way the Nord Stream Race has gone so far and is now looking to St. Petersburg: "The Nord Stream Race has won many friends in Kiel, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki.We are excited about the teams on the finish line in front of the Kronstadt peninsula on Thursday, 04 July, and in the evening I will be delighted to welcome everyone safely to the St. Petersburg Yacht Club."
The inshore racing in Helsinki was won by the Russian Team. In second was the Danish team, followed by Germany, Sweden and the Finnish team. The Russian crew holds the overall lead. On Wednesday afternoon at 5pm, the five teams set sail on the final offshore leg and the eventual finish of the Nord Stream Race in St. Petersburg.
Since its inception in 2012, the Nord Stream Race has been hosted by the St. Petersburg Yacht Club with the support of Gazprom and Nord Stream AG. At 1,000 nautical miles and following the route of the Nord Stream Pipeline, this has become established as the most demanding and prestigious offshore race in the Baltic region.