screens and other mysterious innovations. According to Ambassador Oreck this is not science fiction, it is just around the
corner…
After this interesting visit we headed towards Blekholmen
to NJK’s prestigious club house where dinner was served in
the member rooms.
On Friday the actual races were due to start. All participants had arrived and the Skipper’s meeting was at noon at
Björkholmen, NJK’s sailing centre. The wind was moderate
and six races were carried through. The races were for the
Stephen Swope’s Memorial Trophy. In this race the helmsman
stays on board but teams swop boats after each race. The
race form appeals to the competitors as they learn new ways
of sailing and get to know each other while racing in the same
boat.
A regatta dinner at the prestigious NJK club house on Blekholmen ended a good day of interesting racing. Juniors and
seniors had a good time.
Saturday was a tough day for the seniors. Fleet racing with
an early start as, according to the Notice of Race, no starts
were to take place after 12 pm. Conditions were excellent
and three races were completed. Races were good and in the
end the team from KSSS was the winner.
A cold drink after the races was relaxing and as the weather was excellent it was good to chat and discuss various sailing
topics on the terrace outside the clubhouse.
As some of the participants had to catch a plane in order
to be on time to other big sailing events, such as The Fastnet
Race, the prize giving was held immediately after the races.
KSSS was the overall winner and they were well prepared as
the trophies already were in Sweden. This was due to a mistake and not planned beforehand…
In the evening juniors and the more mature sailors enjoyed a barbecue dinner at Björkholmen. After a debate, tables were re-organized and finally the seating was according
to how the Vikings were seated in the good old days, facing
each other in a square. Glasses were raised in the way the old
Vikings did.
On Sunday the NAS team visited the Hvitträsk museum
where Eliel and Eero Saarinen lived. Eero Saarinen is known
primarily for the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Those who still
remained in Finland had been invited to the beautiful home
of Jaana and Klaus Cavén in Westend. Everyone enjoyed the
good food, excellent wines and good company so much that
the elapse of time was completely forgotten. Late, farewells
were said and everyone agreed that the AR is worth preserving! New ideas are more than welcome, but we all hope to
keep up a good tradition and involve a new generation, especially those who do not compete professionally but sail just
for fun. The whole idea is to keep in touch, sail and socialize
on a sporty and informal level.
Gunilla Antas
Former Commodore
ELEGANCE, INTEGRITY, SIMPLICITY
W W W . K 2 4 B O A T S . C O M