NRV and YCCS announce first details about Atlantic Anniversary Regatta

With the "Atlantic Anniversary Regatta" the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (Hamburg) and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (Sardinia) are organising a unique offshore regatta series in honour of their respective anniversaries. In 2017 the YCCS, which was founded by H.H. the Aga Khan, will be looking back on 50 years of club history while in 2018 the NRV will celebrate its 150th anniversary. During a press conference at boot Düsseldorf today the organisers announced first exciting details about the "Atlantic Anniversary Regatta".

"The participants of the Atlantic Anniversary Regatta are going to experience a unique programme. In November 2017 it will lead them from the Canary Islands westward bound to Virgin Gorda on the British Virgin Islands, where the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda has its winter base. Subsequently, they will have the opportunity to take part in the existing regatta circuit around the Caribbean. With the popular Newport Bermuda Race the participants will arrive at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, the organiser of the 2017 America's Cup. In July 2018 the yachts will then leave Bermuda for their return journey. After taking a split time south of England the yachts will proceed along the English Channel and the river Elbe to a spectacular finish right in the harbour of Hamburg", explained Race Director Stefan Kunstmann during today's first presentation of the Pre-Notice of Race. The document includes important dates and information about the race to which all seagoing yachts are invited that are able to cover 3,200 nautical miles within a period of three weeks. On behalf of YCCS the experienced sports director Edoardo Recchi will fulfil the tasks of the race committee for the first regatta in westerly direction.

"The regatta series is equally attractive to the professional high-tech racer as to the seagoing amateur cruiser", Kunstmann continued. "Therefore we will establish many different scorings with various prizes. However, the main goal of most participants will of course be the overall ranking that will include the West- and the East-Regatta as well as one or more additional races in the Caribbean such as the Newport Bermuda Race or the RORC Caribbean 600."

After the plans became public, first amongst the members of each club and afterwards in the wider offshore scene, the organisers can proudly present a considerable list of expressions of interest at this early stage already. GREY GOOSE OF RORC (Swan 82), EXCALIBUR (Knierim 50), BEST BUDDIES (X-441), HENRYKE 7 (Beneteau 54), EMMA (Swan 60), RED (Class 40) or VARUNA VI (Ker 56) are some of the names that can be found on the "Pre-entry list".

"We are very happy about the positive feedback we received thus far and also about the quality of interested owners", said the NRV's vice president Joh. W. von Eicken, who is also planning to take part in the race on board a Swan 56. "The ultimate goal would be to come close to the number of participants of the "DaimlerChrysler North Atlantic Challenge" which the NRV organised in 2003." At the time more than 60 yachts collectively crossed the Atlantic Ocean.

On the occasion of today's press conference, the Atlantic Anniversary Regatta logo was officially presented for the first time. The artistically designed logo incorporates one of the most important elements in sailing: the wind. Two dynamic wind roses in two different colours – representing the two organising clubs – have been merged and laid on top of each other. They stand for the average wind conditions recorded over the last 50 years, measured along the respective route of both transatlantic races. The wind directions can be understood intuitively, analogous to a compass rose. The further away from the centre, the higher the wind speed.

In order to assist potential participants with their preparations for the race, the "AAR Offshore Workshop" has been announced. Owners and crew members, no matter whether they are professional or family crews, are invited to join regular workshop meetings where they will have the opportunity to share their knowledge and discuss subjects such as crew planning, logistics, provisions, safety and others. On www.anniversary-regatta.com an online forum will also enable participants to exchange their views, find relevant information and prepare for this demanding challenge together.