The well forecasted low pressure system swept across the racecourse sooner than expected with 35 knots of wind gusting over 40. The near gale force winds have served up tough conditions to the international fleet in the Roschier Baltic Sea Race. Several boats have retired due to the conditions, but no injuries or major gear failures have been reported to the RORC Race Team. The strong northerly wind is expected to last until the afternoon or early evening on day three of the Roschier Baltic Sea Race.

All of the teams still racing have now rounded the Almagrundet Lighthouse off the Stockholm Archipelago. Christian Zugel’s Volvo 70 Tschüss 2 (USA) is ripping along at close to 20 knots of boat speed on a tight fetch, 120NM from the finish. Tschüss 2 is expected to take Roschier Baltic Sea Race Monohull Line Honours this evening in Helsinki.

“Tschüss is in 30-35 knots of wind and it has been a bit bumpy!” commented Campbell Field, Tschüss 2 navigator on Monday morning 29th July. “Our ETA is a bit tricky to predict because our polars say we should be at 20 knots, but that wasn’t possible with this sea state. Right now (0800 UTC), the sea state has eased up a bit, the throttle is wide open, two reefs and the J4 on and hitting 24kt of boat speed at times. 96nm to go!”

After the retirement of Swan 88 Spiip (MON) and Cookson 50 Privateer (USA), Niklas Zennstrom’s Carkeek 52 Rán (SWE) is now second on the water but over 100 miles behind Tschüss 2. Arto Linnervuo’s Infiniti 52 Tulikettu Redkik is 25 miles behind Rán but is catching up at the rate on one mile every hour.

IRC ZERO:

Tschüss 2 has a lead of over eight hours after IRC time correction. However, the big climber in IRC Zero is Birgitta Elfversson Ker 40 Swee (SWE). The team from the Royal Swedish Yacht Club had a sensational run down to the southern tip of Gotland to move up to second place in IRC Zero after IRC time correction with Rán in third.

The youth team from the HSV racing JV 52 Haspa Hamburg (GER) have been preparing in earnest for the tough conditions ahead. As Haspa Hamburg rounded the Almagrundet Lighthouse, Line Hamman reported on board: “Last night was tough for us because of a thunderstorm and light winds which is not good for our boat. So, we are really excited for the stronger winds that are coming. We have been getting as much rest and eating well to prepare for the fast sailing ahead.”

Spiip, Black Lily and Privateer have all retired from the race. All crew are safely ashore with no reported injuries.

IRC ONE:

Per Roman’s JPK 1180 Garm (SWE) is about 300 miles from the finish, leading IRC One after time correction and second overall, the team have put in a massive performance on Garm which is now approaching the southern tip of Gotland and about to face some big seas and breeze upwind. Ahead of Garm on the water, but second after IRC time correction, is Taavet Hinrikus’ MAT 1220 Nola (EST), skippered by Margus Uudam with Nacho Postigo as navigator. There is no doubt that Garm and Nola will have an intense battle in the Baltic storm. In third place in IRC One is Dirk Clasen’s Humphreys 39 Ginkgo (GER). The podium leaders in IRC Two are all about the same waterline length but completely different designs, it will be interesting to see who is quickest for the long battle north to the finish.

Håkan Grönvall’s First 40 C-ME rounded the Almagrundet Lighthouse at around midnight local time, sending news of an old Swedish ritual: “Fabio Belloni gave the traditional speech to Miss Alma (the Almagrundet Lighthouse) and served a dinner of chicken risotto with a glass of white wine. The speech and offer of a dinner to Miss Alma has been considered a pre-requisite for a safe and fast rounding of the Island of Gotland since the start of the races around Gotland in the 1930s. Traditionally the speech has been held either in Swedish or Finnish. We hope Miss Alma appreciates probably the first ever speech held to her in Italian. Che bella cara Alma!”

Sun Fast 3300 Stimmy has retired, the crew is safely ashore with no reported injuries.

IRC TWO: Continuing to impress is the Royal Swedish Youth Team racing First 36.7 Team Pro4U (SWE), skippered by Linnea Floser who contacted the media team as Pro4U approached the Almagrundet Lighthouse: “We are having a great race so far, all the team are on deck preparing to hoist the spinnaker for a long, fast run to Gotland. Everything is going very well on board!”

Pro4U is leading on the water and after IRC time correction. Pro4U is making her way tucked in close to the western shore of Gotland, about 330 miles from the finish. The chasing pack are now over 30 miles behind Pro4U but this is a safety margin that will come under serious pressure after the Pro4U rounds Gotland. The frontal system is due to pass through later today bringing unstable wind speed and direction. This might slow Pro4U first, allowing other boats to catch up. Second in IRC Two after time correction is the very experienced Finnish team led by Arttu Hult racing Inferno 31 Inferna (FIN). In third place is J/109 Irie (FIN) raced doublehanded by Julius Haartti & Sanna Moliis.

IRC TWO-HANDED:

J/121 Jolene (SWE) raced by Fredrik Rydin & Johan Tuvstedt is belting along the western coast of Gotland hitting double-digit boat speeds. Jolene leads the class after IRC time correction and is 25 miles ahead of the nearest competition; Figaro II The Spirit (DEN) raced by Swedish couple Ander Lundmark & Louise Edgren, which is also second after IRC time correction. Third in IRC Two-Handed is J/109 Irie (FIN) raced by Julius Haartti & Sanna Moliis.

MOCRA:

The media team are receiving pictures and videos from the teams racing in the Roschier Baltic Sea Race, which tell their story of the race. The only multihull in this year’s race is the TS42 Squid skippered by Janne Kjellman & Marko Maki. The all-Finnish team of five enjoyed a full breakfast on the west side of Gotland, propelled by waves of over 3 metres!

”We were pretty-much dead last when the new wind started last night. Catamarans are not exactly flourishing in light upwind conditions! Now much better after joyful night, we saw 30+ kts in a few gusts with 25 kts boat speed recorded also, briefly. Rounded Almagrundet at 2200 UTC last night. ⁠Spirits high after a good and honest fried eggs and bacon breakfast. The way back will be bumpy. The frying pan is due to be stowed. ⁠See you all safe and sound after finish! Godspeed! Squid out.”