The Gotland Runt 2021 is on
by KSSS Club 1 Feb 2021 16:53 GMT
4 July 2021
Gotland Runt Offshore Race © Henrik Trygg / KSSS
Gotland Runt is the world's largest annual offshore race and since the start in 1937 it has attracted sailors from around the world, especially boats from the Baltic countries.
In the later years there has been hundreds of boats on the start line in central Stockholm, Sweden. After a cancelled race in 2020 the interest has been tremendous this year, and the first 200 spots were filled in a matter of minutes. Now a waiting list has been created, but Race Management is optimistic to make it possible for more boats to race.
Gotland Runt is a truly unique offshore sailing race. The spectacular start in the city is followed by an intense inshore race through the archipelago's narrow straits and countless skerries. Then the course stretches out into the Baltic Sea, to finish after 352 NM in the legendary Swedish sailing port Sandhamn. The race runs according to ORCi, SRS (Swedish Respit System) and this year will premiere an Swedish Championship for Two Person Mixed Offshore.
Last year the organizers, the Royal Swedish Yacht Club (KSSS), cancelled Gotland Runt for the first time since World War II, due to the Corona situation. Therefore the race organization anticipated a great interest in Gotland Runt 2021. It proved to been almost overwhelming.
"We are extremely happy to see such profound interest in Gotland Runt" says Håkan Andersson, race director. "And although we have a waiting list we still encourage boatowners to sign up. We are committed to make this to the big event it deserves to be", says a hopeful Håkan.
The Royal Swedish Yacht Club are working hard to open a more sustainable harbor and a better event area for visitors. It will be placed in the center of Stockholm, in the park Djurgården, near the famous VWasa museum. However, since there are still some uncertainties regarding the race harbor, the maximum number of boats right now has been set to 200.
KSSS welcomes the sailing community to Stockholm in July.
Find out more at www.ksss.se/en/gotlandrunt