Fast sailing during Stockholm Archipelago Day One, where the Noordzijs completed the first leg, mainly sailed downwind or on the reach, at an average 16 knots speed.
Good day for local pair Karlsson/Nordblom, triple and reigning winners of SAR (2018, 2019, 2020), as well for Finnish/French team Nieminen/Backes, Olivier being none else than 2010 & 2012 F18 World Champion…
Pretty good performance too for Steve Stroebel & Steven Leuck, although being long distance rookies.
On the dark side, high speed means serious damage when hitting rocks, and one have to know they are a lot of those all around the Archipelago… It was the turn of Patrick Demesmaeker & Olivier Gagliani to make the cruel experience of destroying their two boards, before loosing their jib… Definitely a day to forget for the Belgian team!
A big thank you to Lars Linder, tireless organizer of the Stockholm Archipelago Raid, and SWE F18 animator as well, for offering sailors the opportunity to live such an amazing experience.
More to read on event website.