29er European Championships 2023 at the Royal Swedish Yacht Club - Opening Ceremony
by International 29er Class 13 Aug 2023 23:24 BST
12th -19th August, 2023
173 boats from 24 countries have made their way to the beautifully scenic Royal Swedish Yacht Club, Saltsjöbaden located in the Stockholm archipelago, just East of Stockholm. Two days of measurement, registration, last minute boat work and practicing and the fleet are poised ready to start the 2023 European Championships tomorrow.
Three races are scheduled per day for the four fleets spread across two race courses led by PRO Tim Hancock and with a light to medium wind forecast for the week and the promise of some sunshine, the pre-event buzz of anticipation is alive.
At the Opening ceremony the parade of sailors walked from the clubhouse along the water to the Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden, proudly waving their country flags. There they were greeted by the Commodore of the Royal Swedish Yacht Club Patrik Salén, President of the International 29er Class Association Peter Stephensen Lübeck and Eva Öhbom Ekdahl, Chairman of the Municipal Executive Board in Nacka. The speeches welcomed the sailors and thanked KSSS and all the volunteers and staff who go the extra mile to make these large events possible. They also reminded sailors to seize every moment both on and off the water and to take the opportunity to meet lifelong friends from across the globe.
Recently crowned Optimist World Champion, Henric Wigforss, who is also sailing in this event for Sweden cut the ribbon to declare the event open and the fun filled ceremony was followed by some mingling and a Coca-cola in the sun.
Whilst some of the fleet did not attend the recent World Championship in Weymouth, many have come straight from the UK to once again step up and perform. Recently crowned overall 2023 World Champions, IRL 1 Clementine and Nathan Van Steenberge have their eye on the double vicotry, but ITA 3, Alex Demurtas and Giovanni Santi will be fighting hard for the top place on the podium having narrowly missed out at the last two big championships. FRA 4, Hugo Revil and Karl Devaux are also hungry for the win along with the Sach brothers Anton and Johann (GER 6) and with very different conditions this week - shifty, gusty and lighter winds, this opens the door for some new teams to step up into the mix and is sure to test the teams to their limits.
In the Women's fleet, Spanish sisters and 2022 Women's European Champions Sara and Isabel Momplet Baixauli are ready to defend their title, whilst 2023 Women's World Silver Medalists Irish sisters Emily and Jessica Riordan and Women's World Bronze Medalists Swedish sisters Ebba and Ellen Fredriksson are fresh from their successes in Weymouth and hoping to this time take the victory.
These light and shifty conditions could be favorable for the sailors from Sweden who are sailing on their home waters. One team to watch is Hedvig and Hugo Liljegren who placed 4th at the Worlds in 2022, and this will be their last regatta in the 29er before switching to 470. Another wildcard from Sweden is Henric Wigforss who earlier this summer won the world championship in the Optimist, who is sailing with William Drakenberg. It looks to be a kind introduction to the 29er Class this week on home waters and we will be sure to catch up with him as the week progresses.
The racing starts tomorrow at 12.00. For more information visit 29ereuropeans.org.