Oslo, Norway – 8 June 2024 – The final countdown for the ORC Double-Handed World Championship 2024 is on, and the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club (Kongelig Norsk Seilforening - KNS) and Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) have started the final preparations. All boats with their double-handed crews have checked in at the KNS marina at Dronningen, Oslo, and the registration and measurement checks began, marking the beginning of this prestigious event.
Under the meticulous leadership of ORC Chief Measurer Zoran Grubisa, the Event Technical Committee is ensuring absolute compliance and safety through thorough checks of all 70 boats. The checklist includes checking the safety equipment, the other equipment on the boat, and the sails.
The marina is abuzz as Oslo Race Week kicks off, a week packed with exciting events. It all starts with the GRUNDIG Women’s Regatta on June 8-9, followed by the highly anticipated ORC DH Worlds on June 11-15. The week also features the H.M. The King's Series races on June 11-13, a traditional regatta in Bunnefjorden with King Harald as the regatta director, and the world's largest overnight regatta Færderseilasen on its 77th edition, to be sailed on June 14-16.
After the successful ORC European Championship in Hankø in August 2022, KNS is excited to host the ORC Double Handed World Championship 2024. With 70 boats from 10 nations, including 45 Norwegian teams, the Event Chair, Kristian Fodstad, is delighted with many entries and confirms the smooth organization. “About 30 volunteers and officials are working together to make a great Championship. KNS is excited to host such a race, starting in Oslo with inshore sailing between all the islands, where the fjord opens up, and the offshore race really starts out in the Skagerak Sea. The sailors would experience local and coastal currents, shifty winds, and almost daylight nights,” says Event Chair Fodstad.
On Sunday, June 9, the festivities begin with a Skippers meeting at 6 pm, where attendees will receive vital information from PRO Kristian Fæste on chosen courses – the option of three alternatives varying from 260 to 375 nM, a brief weather forecast, starting points, jury details, and safety guidelines. This will be followed by the official opening dinner at 7 pm. The dinner in the sailors’ tent will feature an address by The Royal Norwegian Yacht Club Chairman, Nils Klippenberg, and will include a delicious grill buffet and drinks at the tables.
The Tune-up regatta will start at 3 pm on Monday, June 10. The course will follow the same route out of Oslo as the World Championship, with the southern mark announced during the skipper's meeting. This race will take approximately three hours and conclude at the finish line on the harbour’s entrance between the former KNS clubhouse called Queen/Dronningen, and the house called King, Christiania Rowing Club. After the regatta, a light barbeque will be served at 6 pm.
The ORC DH World Championship will commence on Tuesday, June 11, at 3 pm. It will climax on Friday, June 14, with participants expected to arrive in Tønsberg within 24 hrs.
On Saturday, June 15, at 3 pm, there will be a Medal Ceremony by the dockside of Tønsberg, celebrating new ORC Double Handed World Champions in three classes. The Mayor of Tønsberg and the County Mayor of Vestfold-Telemark will present the medals. The World Championship Banquet will be held at Hotel Klubben at 5 pm after the ceremony.
"With 70 boats entered from ten nations, this event marks a significant success. The ORC is delighted to witness such remarkable progress in double-handed racing, underscoring its growing importance and interest," says ORC Management Committee Member Patrick Lindqvist. "We greatly admire the efforts of the teams traveling from afar, including Poland, Lithuania, and Finland. The dedication of the teams from Turkey and Spain, stepping out of their usual environments, showcases their strong commitment to discipline. With the event organized by the capable and experienced hands of the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club (KNS), we are assured of an outstanding competition."
We look forward to an exciting and successful event celebrating the spirit of sailing and competition.