It was not to be. It was officially communicated this morning that Vegvisir Race 2020 was cancelled. Myself, together with co-skipper Filip Bergom registered last year to participate in the 2 Star race on a 225nm course in the medium class (30 to 35 feet). Planned races 2020
Vegvisir Race 2020 canceled
A decision based on emotions made by the five participating sailing clubs in Guldborg Municipality has made the implementation of Vegvisir Race 2020 impossible.
After the clubs’ cancellation, the municipality’s officials and Morten Brandt Rasmussen had a bulletproof plan B in place, but the municipality finally chose yesterday to prioritize their relationship with the sailing clubs and withdrew from the event. Thus, the event is without a port and thus it became impossible for Morten Brandt Rasmussen to find new solutions.
It is what is sometimes referred to “adventure sail racing” and in our case, the adventure included an additional 500nm transport sail from and to our home harbor.
Lock-down, travelling restrictions, 6 days rule have all worked against the event.
Morten Brandt Rasmussen, who arranged the event (and who among other things created Silverrudder Challenge and is organizes Round Denmark Race in 2021) did his utmost to make sure that the race took place throughout the pandemic keeping registered participants up to date with any twist and positive attitude against all odds.
– I’m very very sad and frustrated. First of all, I am sorry on behalf of all the participants. Many Danish and foreign sailors have spent time and effort getting ready for Vegvisir Race. Several are in the process of the long transport voyage from e.g. Sweden or Poland to Nykøbing Falster. Out in Europe, boats are packed on trailers. Ferry tickets have all been booked to come to Lolland Falster to take part in one of this year’s few international races. It makes me so sad I now as an organizer have to ask them to turn around and stay home.
And then I’m frustrated that the clubs are reporting on the grounds of an unfounded fear that their members might be infected with Corona during the event. The harbor in Nykøbing would have been the most corona-secured place on Lolland / Falster. But it was not good enough. It is an absurd situation where arguments and actions based on objective facts and rational thinking are swept off the table with reference to fear, emotions and gut feelings, says Morten Brandt Rasmussen.
After the clubs had left this year’s event, the municipality’s officials and Morten Brandt Rasmussen continued to work on a complete plan B which was ready to launch yesterday Wednesday. However, Guldborgsund Municipality eventually chose to withdraw from Vegvisir Race 2020, with reference to the municipality’s future collaboration with the sailing clubs. Thus, the event was without port and thus cancellation became the sad result.
All registered will be contacted via email and informed further. A solution is being worked on to repay the participants’ start money.
The 5 co-arranging sailing clubs told the municipality and Morten Brandt Rasmussen that they had started to fear taking part in Vegvisir Race 20 on Friday AUG 14. They withdrew finally from the event on a meeting Tuesday AUG 18.
The municipality withdrew from the event at 1 PM AUG 19.
We have been very uncertain until last week, when Denmark opened up its borders without restrictions. Logistics arrangements cleared, we were preparing the final details for our 500nm transport SH and planning the race.
It sucks. However we did our homework and took the opportunity to prepare the boat for off-shore racing. New opportunities will certainly come up soon