PRESS RELEASE
A specimen copy is kindly requested.
Flensburg, 16th of September 2013
The Nord Stream Race fleet is on its way
Spectacular start of the Swan 60 yachts
Whilst the ORC-yachts left in time yesterday towards Russia, the Swan 60 had to wait for their start
until 4pm today. Earlier the race committee followed a request from the Swan 60 class and
announced a start postponement. Reason for this was damage of the forestay of the Russian yacht
“Bronenosec“ which already occurred before the originally planned start time of 12.30pm.
However, this was repaired in the course of the day.
For the start of the Swan 60 teams from Great Britain, Germany, Russia, Turkey and the all-European
Team on board “Spirit of Europe” the weather conditions were volatile with sun, rain and gusts up to
25 knots. At the moment the fleet is still very close together. It will be interesting to see, how they
position themselves during the first night and which tactical decisions the different yachts will make.
Swan 60 teams agree with race committee’s decision
The start postponement of the Swan 60 which jumbled up the schedule a little was accepted by all
teams who were very relaxed about it: Thomas Jungblut, skipper of Team Germany: „I agree with the
decision of the race committee. The Russians couldn’t have sailed with that damage. In the end we
all want a fair race with all participants.“
Robert Klein, Watch Captain of Team Turkey: “It would have been a pity if we couldn’t have started
with all five Swan 60. For me the postponement is the right decision.” Adrian Stead, skipper of Team
Great Britain: “That is absolutely fine. We are happy to wait for Bronenosec.” And the German
offshore-professional Tim Kröger from Team Europe also supported the decision: „We are all in for a
good race, so let's have it - even if we have to start the fleet a bit later...”
“Outsider” leads the ORC fleet by far
The five ORC-yachts taking part in Nord Stream Race already had their start yesterday. After a short
upwind course to the windward mark 12 to 14 knots from westerly direction allowed the crews to set
their gennakers and spinnakers and as expected, “Outsider“ with helmsman Tilmar Hansen raced
away. At the moment they are leading the fleet by far in front of the Russian “Blagodarnost 2“ and
“UCA“ from Kiel, followed by “Haspa Hamburg“ and “Nordic Falcon“.
www.nord-stream-race.com
PRESS RELEASE
The “Outsider” crew has proposed an ambitious target: They announced their target time for arrival
in Saint Petersburg for Wednesday, 18th of September at 14.28h (CEST). The navigator who gets
closest to his ETA-prediction will win the Navigator’s Prize of Nord Stream Race. The mood on board
“Outsider“ seems to be great at the moment: „Southerly wind with around 20 knots is blowing up
the small spinnaker and the staysail. The waves are allowing for some nice surfs“, writes crew
member Ole Sartori.
Attached photo: Please find attached a photo in high resolution from the start of the Swan 60yachts.
Photos and video footage: Nord Stream Race will have a photographer and a camera crew on site
who will follow the whole event. Photos will be published at www.nord-stream-race.com. In addition
we offer video footage that you can download from the news aktuell footage-platform
http://footage.presseportal.de.
For requests, please contact:
Nord Stream Race
in charge for public relations
Headquarters | Hamburg Maritime Communications
Annette Krüger
phone +49 (0)40 87 87 999-18
mobile +49 (0)171 8810 883
email nsr@hqhh.de
The race: The Nord Stream Race is a non-stop regatta that covers more than 800 nautical miles across the
Baltic Sea. The regatta starts on September 15th 2013 from Glücksburg. The route passes east of Bornholm and
then follows the Nord Stream gas pipeline which is also the name giver of the race. The finish line is just a few
miles off Saint Petersburg. The Race is open for the Gazprom Swan 60 Class and yachts under ORC-handicap.
Depending on the size and type of the respective yacht and on the wind conditions the boats will be on the
water for approximately four to six days. Organiser of this top-class event is the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein
(NRV) together with Saint Petersburg Yacht Club (SPBYC), supported by Flensburger Segel-Club (FSC). The Nord
Stream Race was initiated in 2012 and serves the transnational connection between the Baltic Rim countries on
a sporting level.
www.nord-stream-race.com
PRESS RELEASE
Partners of Nord Stream Race:
Saint Petersburg Yacht Club: The Yacht Club of Saint Petersburg (SPBYC) is based at Hercules Yacht
Harbour within the heart of Russian sailing capital and was established in 2010. The yacht club aims
to develop sailing as a sport across the Russian nation as well as valuing the duty to keep traditional
maritime history and sea ethics alive through a sustainable worldwide legacy program for future
generations. High profile honorary members include His Majesty Constantine II, King of Greece.
SPBYC is a meeting place for like-minded individuals who all have a love and respect of the sea and is
now ready to become a world renowned yachting hub. www.yacht-club-spb.ru
Norddeutscher Regatta Verein: The Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (NRV) founded 1868 not only is
the largest yacht club in Germany but at the same time it is also a major organizer of national and
international sailing events. One of the main objectives today is the development of our young
sailors. We cultivate our traditions that have evolved from over 140 years of club history and at the
same time we look ahead to master the many challenges yet to come. www.nrv.de
Nord Stream: Nord Stream is a natural gas pipeline which links Russia and the European Union
through the Baltic Sea. The first of Nord Stream’s two parallel pipelines became operational in
November 2011, the second in October 2012. The total capacity is enough to supply more than 26
million European households. This international joint-venture project by major energy companies
Gazprom, BASF SE/Wintershall Holding GmbH and E.ON Ruhrgas AG, N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie and
GDF SUEZ S.A. is an important contribution to long-term security of supply and a milestone of the
energy partnership between the European Union and Russia. The Nord Stream Pipeline offers a
relevant route and context for the race. Due to its dimension and active stakeholder and public
engagement, Nord Stream has become a symbol of international cooperation as the Nord Stream
Race also intends to. www.nord-stream.com
Contact:
Ulrich Lissek, Communications Director, Mobile: +41 79 874 31 58
Jens D. Müller, Deputy Communications Director, Mobil: +41 79 295 96 08
Email: press@nord-stream.com
www.nord-stream-race.com
PRESS RELEASE
Gazprom: Gazprom is a global energy company with its businesses extending across Russia and
throughout more than 40 countries worldwide. Gazprom holds the world's largest natural gas
reserves. The Company's share in the global and Russian gas reserves makes up around 18 and some
72 per cent respectively. Gazprom has long believed it has a responsibility to give back to the
communities it works within and its social goals to promote a healthy lifestyle, an harmonious
upbringing of a physically strong generation and worthy performances at international sporting
events were a natural fit with the Nord Stream Race. www.gazprom.com
Marinepool: Marinepool is widely regarded as one of the leading sailing clothing and maritime
lifestyle brands with sales in 43 countries worldwide and is the leading producer of life jackets for the
leisure and sport market in Europe. The company’s vast product portfolio comprises performance
sailing clothing and outdoor garments, functional fashion for sailing and water sports as well as
lifestyle clothing lines for women, men and kids in a unique maritime style. Marinepool is partner of
world-class teams and events such as the Extreme Sailing Series™, Energy Team France and the
Sailing Team Germany. www.marinepool.com
Ernst Kabel Druck: Ernst Kabel Druck GmbH, Hamburg, is a Hanseatic print shop with a long tradition,
well known for quality and innovation. We produce a large variety of printing products from business
reports to A1-posters as well as extraordinary finishing options like stamping or embossing. Ernst
Kabel Druck uses state-of-the-art machines and CtP technology to enable us to provide high quality
services even under tight deadlines and to match big campaigns with each other. Contact: Henning
Tebbe. www.kabel-druck.de
www.nord-stream-race.com