Once again it is time for the Baltic 500 Challenge.
It does not need an Ocean to cross to get you out of the comfort zone, the 21st century has to offer. A mixture of narrow waters and open sea, combined with local weather phenomena and current that is hard to predict, will constantly challenge every sailors ability in navigation and tactics to the maximum.
Being short-handed means there is no Navigator, no bowman, no trimmer you can rely on – it is all you and your buddy – for days and nights.An average marathon takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes, an Ironman takes about 9-10hours, an Ultra – Marathon can take up to 72 hours.
BALTIC 500 may take up to 100hours – only Cricket may take longer.
Baltic500.com
Tracking links at:
It is once again expected to be a windy affair. Hopefully more manageable conditions than last year.
39 yachts ready to line up at the start of which 4 are Swedish.
I will keep a special eye on Vida (Elan 350) on which I spent 10 days last autumn after signing up as co-skipper for the Baltic 500 the “Dark Edition”. Want to see what happened?
News from the sailors tells me that Vida is not likely to start because of the expected heavy weather. The current forecast shows winds gusting up to 70kts tomorrow.
10 yachts from the original fleet are still in the race and due to arrive back in Strande, Germany, within today.
Powerplay, a Dehler 30OD is currently leading the pack and sailing straight for line honors. Pretty cool for the smallest yacht in the remaining fleet and the only Dehler 30OD still racing.
Results here
https://www.manage2sail.com/en-US/event/422d11ae-7d94-41fb-bb8c-a756e95bdae8/tab/results#!/results?classId=bd743cc3-910d-4f15-8ac7-0bc661c63bb4