The Tribune

AFTER five days of intense fleet racing and eight races in the beautiful archipelago of Nynäshamn, Sweden, Bahamian sailors were among the top finishers at the 5.5 World Championships.

Finishing in second and third position respectively, the two Bahamian boats, ‘John B’ (Gavin McKinney, Lars Horn Johannessen, Thomas Halberg) and ‘New Moon’ (Mark Holowesko, Peter Vlasov, P.Morland Pedersen) had only three points separating them.

It is interesting to note that The Nassau Yacht Club and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas will again be hosting the 5.5m Worlds in 2017.

‘Artemis XIV’ helmed by Norwegian sailor Kristian Nergaard and his crew composed of Johan Barne and Trond Solli Säther wins this year’s edition of the 5.5 Metre World Championship with the perfect score of 7 points.

Summarising his experience in Sweden, world champion Kristian says: “The Nynäshamn World was a great championship to us. We are proud but humble with our seven bullets to win the gold medal. I must honour my great crew Trond and Johan for excellent tactics and boat handling.

“Finally a special thanks to the Nynäshamn sailing club making the worlds such a great regatta.”

The first boat in the Evolution division, Swedish yacht ‘Odysée’ is 14th overall and the Italian crew of ‘Tara’ takes the 22nd place overall, first of the Classic division.

Traditionally preceding the 5.5m World Championship, the prestigious Scandinavian Gold Cup, a Nation trophy with one boat per country was won by ‘Caracole’ (Bernard Haissly, Nicolas Berthoud, Daniel Stämpfli) representing France for the occasion.

Swedish ‘Pop’s John B’ (J. Busch, V. Hofman-Bang, P. Frösell) won the Hankø Evolution Cup and ‘Tara’ (Mariacristina Rapisardi,M. Bonzanigo, G. Arrivabene)  the Royal Kaag Classic Cup.

Altogether a great regatta, with perfectly laid out race courses and friendly atmosphere, organised by a team of volunteers of the Nynäshman Yacht Club (NSS) that is celebrating its 100 year anniversary this year.