News from the Front. Valhalla in Finland

 
I thought it was worth dropping you and the members of BISMA a note regarding the Worlds in Finland.

For those who never had the privilege of sailing in the Finnish archipelago it is the most magnificent sailing water, although it is wise to take a chart.

The organisation was superb, the boats were rigged and ready to crane in within minutes of the crew turning up and they were kept in once place, at the private yacht harbour of Finland's oldest Yacht club NJK, right in the centre of Helsinki Harbour.

Finland has enjoyed a spectacularly good summer, we had the last couple of days of this when we first arrived, thereafter Regatta Weather Syndrome took over, most mornings we had an hour or so of rain and strong wind, and then the rain stopped, the wind moderated and we went sailing. In short we enjoyed the "it's never normally like this at this time of year".

There was an extra ordinary fleet of 43 classics entered, together with 10 moderns. The classics were truly international, with boats from New Zealand, America, Canada as well as the 'traditional' European Fleet. Although one race was abandoned due to the Committee boat being obliged to leave station to go and help a Classic in distress we completed a full Regatta of very competitive racing. Lessons had been learned from last years Europeans and there was beer and snacks awaiting at the end of every race.

This fostered a tremendous party atmosphere and it has to be said the Finns were great hosts for the formal occasions, I think I consumed a years supply of pickled herring in one week! Most of the social events were held in a vast barn come winter sail store on NJK Island and this created wonderful camaraderie especially as the alcohol was usually included within the price of the evening. Some of the younger Finns in particular thought this was rather wonderful and took advantage accordingly.

My boat Valhalla was a little undercooked and lying (we reckon) in fourth place overall after various adventures and accidents including an experiment in using the brand new spinnaker as a fishing net (not recommended) when the almost new mast, for reasons we still don't understand decided to try swimming with the fishes and collapsed without warning. Sadly we had to cut it free and were towed in mulling over the magnitude of the insurance claim. We were disappointed, but not downhearted.

ISMA held its formal AGM and we enjoyed a presentation from the Swedes relating to the Europeans which they are hosting next year and will be held 20 or so miles south of Stockholm. They have promised to find transport at prices which make the whole exercise sound very tempting.

Johan Larsen his wife Kathy and I have suggested we organise a quiet dinner for those interested sometime over the winter, in London so we can hear exactly the program they have in mind. More details to follow.

Finally my most abiding memory is watching 40 classics beating to windward following their start, a magnificent sight!

Best wishes
Paul Smith