The Blu26 Swiss Championship, part of the 5th Fleet Race Battle Engadin in St. Moritz, welcomed teams from Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Montenegro. The Sailing Club St. Moritz hosted the regatta in its 75th anniversary from the 2nd to the 4th September. In addition to the Club’s anniversary, two premieres were celebrated.
The first official Swiss championship of the fledgling Blu26 class and the first implementation of a Swiss championship under Addendum Q – umpired fleet racing.
On Friday morning, at 11 am sharp, the sailors met at the skippers meeting. The six blu26 boats, which were provided by Giachen Racing, Badrutt’s Palace, the Youth Regatta Förderverein and Bluboats, were readily available for the teams. In perfect synchrony with the Maloja winds, race director Marc Knöpfel gave way to 11 races. After the first race day the teams from regatta Club Bodensee, Swiss Racing Sailors and Raluluto were in the lead.
Also on Saturday, the second regatta day, was the Engadine at its best as a wind Mecca of Switzerland. The teams sailed a further 10 regattas with moderate to severe Maloja wind. Numerous spectators lined the shores of Lake St. Moritz and witnessed the exciting battles on the lake. Several photo finish, various false starts and an incident involving a man overboard increased the race fever, keeping the tension on the second day of the competition until the end. The Regatta Club Bodensee maintained the leadership, while the local team from the Sailing Club St. Moritz with Giachen Duas raised to second place and the Swiss Racing Sailors slipped down to third in the interim count.
On Sunday, the third and last race day, a last round of qualifications determined the Bronze, Silver and Gold fleets, with points counting double in the final races. Following an early onset of the wind, perfect for the decision day, the final battle was launched. Before the final qualifying round for the Gold fleet, seven teams were virtually tight, separated by the minimum difference of 2 points. After the planned 24 races determined the fleets, the Bronze and Silver fleet sailed one final regatta each, and the Gold fleet sailed two. Julian Flessati and his crew from the Regatta Club Bodensee rejoiced at their final victory. Ending second and third in the two final races, their gap shrank to a point – still enough for the first Swiss title in the young club history – one they will bring back home to Lake Constance. The grand prize: a long ski weekend in Hotel Crystal**** for the entire crew. On the 2nd place, the local team Giachen Duas from the Sailing Club St. Moritz, got the price donated by Hotel Hauser – also a long ski weekend in St. Moritz. The podium was completed by Raluluto from Zurich Yacht club drove back home the bronze medal with a full load (all you can take!) of Passugger water.
Many thanks to St. Moritz tourism, Swiss Sailing, all partners, the race committee with their helpers and the sailing club of St. Moritz who have made this event possible.
More infos, images and full results under: www.blu26.org
