Less than a week remains until the highly anticipated Gotland Runt sailing event, according to Niklas Qvarnström from Tangosailing.nu. While it may be too early to predict the weather, forecasts suggest moderate winds and plenty of sunshine, which bodes well for the competition.
This year, approximately 190 boats have registered for the race, slightly fewer than last year. However, the battle for the trophies is expected to be intense and evenly matched.
In the Classic boats category, there are more participants than last year, including several new boats such as the British 50-footer Infanta and the old Molich 1-ton Camelot. The Sparkman&Stephens boats Ballad and Refanut are among the favorites in this class due to their performance and handicap advantage.
The multihull boats category also boasts a diverse group of participants, with six boats competing this year. The smallest T29 Plus and the largest 84-footer Allegra have a significant 16-meter difference in size. While the Allegra may struggle through the archipelago, the smaller and more agile trimarans are expected to have an advantage. However, all eyes are on the Finnish GunBoat 48 Dancing Bear, sailed by experienced Michael Wahlross, who has a successful sailing history.
The short-handed class has 26 boats this year, with the 2-star winner SunFast 3600 Groovie potentially emerging as the favorite. Despite its wide hull shape, Groovie has demonstrated good speed, particularly downwind. Other strong contenders in this class include Andreas Hamrin’s Amazigh and J/121 Jolene with Fredrik Rydin. However, the new Shogun 43, helmed by Martin Angsell, may not be able to keep up with the competition due to its recent introduction.
The ORC class is still uncertain regarding the number of classes, with 25 registered boats. The difference in speed between the fastest and slowest boats may warrant a division into two classes. Patrik Forsgren’s First 36.7 Team Pro4u is the favorite in this class, having finished third in the Baltic Offshore Week. Tobias Hemmingsson’s First 40.7 Naomi is another strong contender, consistently performing well. Per Ovrén and his team on the new Italia 9.98 Madonna are also expected to achieve high rankings.
The SRS boats category boasts 123 participants, making it challenging to designate favorites. Among the smaller boats, the Scampin Boj Buoy with Peter Forslund at the helm consistently performs well regardless of the weather. The C&C 35 Necesse, helmed by Victor Carlstedt, secured second place last year and emerged as the victor the year before. Last year’s winner, X-99 Wet-X, is also expected to contend for the trophies.
In the slightly larger boats category, the Ängemark-designed Mithril and the Arcona 340 Tiki Minos are considered strong contenders due to their ability to perform well in various wind conditions. The Grand Soleil 37 Amarone, aiming for first place every year, is also worth mentioning.
Among the larger boats, the J/111 CAG with Anders Frisk is expected to compete for top positions. Its biggest competitors are likely to be the Mumm 36s Shogun and Goose II. The Finnish Finngulf 41 Speculator, known for its consistent performance, is another boat to watch out for.
While it is challenging to pick individual favorites, the favorites tend to perform well regardless of the weather conditions. The boats will depart from Stockholm’s waters on Sunday and the results will be known by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.
Niklas Qvarnström from Tangosailing.nu provided this insight into the upcoming Gotland Runt event.
Who are the favorites in the Classic boats category for this year’s Gotland Runt sailing event?
Jury.
With just a few days left until the start of the Gotland Runt sailing event, excitement is building among participants and spectators alike. According to Niklas Qvarnström from Tangosailing.nu, the weather forecast is looking promising, with moderate winds and plenty of sunshine expected.
This year, approximately 190 boats have registered for the race, slightly fewer than last year. However, this decrease in numbers doesn’t dampen the anticipation for an intense and evenly matched competition.
In the Classic boats category, there are more participants than last year, with some exciting new boats joining the race. The British 50-footer Infanta and the old Molich 1-ton Camelot are among the contenders. However, the favorites in this class are expected to be the Sparkman&Stephens boats Ballad and Refanut, thanks to their performance and handicap advantage.
The multihull boats category is also shaping up to be a diverse and thrilling race. With six boats competing, there is a significant difference in size, ranging from the smallest T29 Plus to the largest 84-footer Allegra. While the larger Allegra might face challenges navigating through the archipelago, the smaller and more agile trimarans are expected to have an advantage. However, all eyes are on the Finnish GunBoat 48 Dancing Bear, sailed by experienced Michael Wahlross, who has a successful sailing history.
In the short-handed class, there are 26 boats competing this year. The 2-star winner SunFast 3600 Groovie is considered a potential favorite, despite its wide hull shape. Groovie has demonstrated excellent speed, particularly downwind. Other strong contenders in this class include Andreas Hamrin’s Amazigh and J/121 Jolene with Fredrik Rydin. However, the new Shogun 43, helmed by Martin Angsell, may struggle to keep up with the competition due to its recent injuries.
As the countdown to the Gotland Runt sailing event continues, participants and fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the race. With promising weather conditions and a lineup of competitive boats, this year’s competition is sure to be an exciting one.
