Volvo 29er European Championship at the Royal Danish Yacht Club - Opening Ceremony
by 29er Class & Royal Danish Yacht Club 29 Jun 2022 16:31 BST
27 June - 5 July 2022
29er European Championship Opening Ceremony in Rungsted, Denmark © Mogens Hansen
Yesterday, the 29er European Championships at the Royal Danish Yacht Club in Rungsted was opened in the most festive way. Claus Ladefoged, Volvo 29er European Championship Event Director, wanted to embrace the fleet being back together after more than two years of restrictions and welcome the opportunity for the sailors to enjoy Rungsted Harbour beach and experience some 'Danish HYGGE'.
A live samba show band started festive tunes out in front of the RDYC's clubhouse and led a march of the 330 participating sailors, who gladly waved the 26 national flags represented at the championships. The march passed all the shops and restaurants at Rungsted Harbor to turn left towards the beach, where the festive beats and tones continued.
Pink drinks and beach blankets were handed out and as the sailors sat down on the beach, and to everyone's surprise, 10 samba dancers sailed to the bathing jetty to join the festive music. The music was paused for a few minutes to welcome two speeches by the Event Director, Claus Ladefoged and Hørsholm Municipality's mayor, Morten Slotved.
"Claus told me that we were going to have a beach party, so I decided to dress like this with my mayoral chain," said Mayor Morten Slotved, who wore a Hawaii-shirt for the occasion. He concluded his speech with the words that everyone had come to hear: "I hereby declare the Volvo 29er European Championship 2022 open," and to all the sailors excitement, marshmallows and snacks were handed out to be enjoyed by the campfires around the beach. "We sometimes call this Danish hygge, just sitting around the fire, talking, having a good time," Claus Ladefoged had said in his speech, and HYGGE it was!
Important message
"This event is certified as a sustainable event together with Sailors for the Sea, a maritime sustainable organization", was one of the points Claus Ladefoged raised in his speech. The pledges this championship makes are for example avoiding single use plastic bottles, having a digital notice board and all drinks served for the beach opening were in RDYC's reusable cups for events. In addition, Claus mentioned the 29er Europeans' exciting collaboration with the Danish SailGP Team, where the first Mini Impact League ever is launched. Here, the sailors can take part in a competition to inspire their own sustainability impact goals. The team that wins the competition will be rewarded with tickets to the Sail GP Grand Prix in Copenhagen in mid-August.
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