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1 Week Until the start of ARC Baltic 2014



There’s just one week to go before the first edition of ARC Baltic sets sail and 27 yachts from 10 different nations begin an exciting summer of exploring the fascinating Baltic sea with World Cruising Club’s new rally. Assembling in Schilksee Marina in Kiel, Germany on 5 July, the six week rally features stopovers in six capital cities, visits to remote anchorages, tours of historical sights, and wonderful sailing in between.

The rally format includes 28 nights docking during the cruise along with an organised itinerary focusing on Baltic highlights. From Kiel, Germany, the first leg sails to the pretty 13th century village of Bornholm then on to the walled town of Visby, Sweden.  The uninhabited island of Gotska Sandön is the next stop en route to Estonia’s capital of Tallin, where the fleet will stay at the marina built for the 1980 Summer Olympic Games. Following assisted clearances, the rally will spend four full days exploring the sights of St. Petersburg, Russia, including organised tours of the Winter Palace, the Aurora, and a Russian crew dinner. Leg six and seven promise spectacular sailing through the Finnish Archipelago on route to Nyländska Jaktklubben (NJK, the oldest yacht club in Finland) in the centre of Helsinki, then to Kökar Island in the Åland archipelago. The fleet then visits Mariehamn and KSSS (Royal Swedish Sailing Club) marina in Stockholm, Sweden discovering the rich maritime heritage of the region. The final legs take the rally through the Swedish archipelago to Kalmar and onto Mön, Denmark, before the rally comes to a close in Copenhagen. Over six weeks the rally will sail close to 1600 nautical miles, with an itinerary that allows flexibility for the prevailing weather encountered.

The rally entry list is as diverse as the itinerary, with boats and crew members hailing from almost every corner of the globe. Australian owner Andy Oliver has possibly travelled furthest to sail with the rally, he’s just retired to sail his newly delivered Hanse 505 Hanse Sailor full time leaving his native Queensland for a new adventure. On board, he’s joined by a diverse crew from Australia, New Zealand, USA, and Germany! The itinerary is broken into legs allowing those with limited time to sail as crew for a portion of the rally, which has proved popular with charter yachts giving individuals the opportunity to have a taste of Baltic cruising.

Yachts in the rally range from Southerly 32 Ballygown Bay (GBR) to Bowman 57 Longbow of Argyll (GBR). Mood Magic (JER) a Moody Carbineer 44 is the oldest yacht in the fleet, whilst Hanse Sailor (AUS) was launched at the Hanse wharf in Greifswald in late April 2014 and ARC Baltic will be the first significant mileage under her keel.  8 children are sailing with the rally including little Arwen who will join from Kökar to Mön aged only 7 months. Martin and Victoria Sjöbohm, aged 14 and 19 respectively will sail with their parents on the family yacht Salt (SWE), a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45, for the majority of the rally.

The majority of yachts in the fleet have now left their starting ports sailing towards Schilksee Marina in Kiel where for most it will be the first time meeting their fellow Baltic sailors. Some of the rally boats have already taken the opportunity to meet each other prior to the rally start.

As the rally develops, so will the friendships and camaraderie between all involved settings up for what promises to be a great first ARC Baltic.


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