KENNETH THELEN & TEAM SUUNTO WIN SWEDISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Tomi Hakola reports from the Swedish Open Championship in Marstrand - Marstrands Segelsällskap organised a fantastic event from the 18th to 20th of June in Marstrand Sweden. The course area was the same as it will be during the Worlds - just 2 nautical miles from the harbour! The Swedish Open Championships gathered 19 boats from Sweden, Norway and Finland.

The wind varied on every day from ESE to SW and with a wind velocity of 3 to 10 m/s. Besides the shifting wind and difficult waves the current was extremely hard. Many boats had difficulties of getting everything right on the top mark. On Saturday the fleet had a cold day - rain showers and air temperatures from 8 to 10 degrees. Hopefully the weather will be warmer during the Worlds! Luckily on the last day of the regatta the weather was partly cloudy, wind from south with a velocity of 6-10m/s and big waves. Team Pohjola-Fonecta Finder, FIN-434, recorded maximum speeds of over 17 knots(measured with a Suunto M9).

Racing during the three days was excellent. All boats were close to each other and all standings were open behind Suunto and Fruen Maren. Kenneth Thelen from Finland and Kristoffer Spone from Norway had dog and cat fight three days. The overall performance of Team Suunto was too much this year to Fruen Maren.

Kenneth Thelen and Team Suunto took the championship for the first time. The Swedish Championships have been held three times and the Finns have 2-1 lead to the Norwegians. The first title was won by Sami Ekblad and Marinel Mastervolt, FIN-529 and the second title was won last year by Kristian Nergaad and Baghdad, NOR-560.

Final Results

1. Suunto,FIN-236 (6),1,3,1,1,3,3 -> 11pts.
2. Fruen Maren,NOR-249 1,6,1,(8),3,1,1 -> 13pts.
3. Dolly,NOR-341 2,2,5,2,5,2,4 -> 17pts.
4. Baghdad,NOR-560 4,7,3,7,4,10,(DNS) -> 34pts.
5. Al Cap Jr.,NOR-343 7,5,8,6,(8),4,6 -> 36pts.
6. Pohjola-Fonecta Finder,FIN-434 9,(11),6,4,6,9,5 -> 38pts