Gotland Runt 2010

Two Fast: Leaving Sandhamn for a year

Datum: 11 Jul 10:43

Thanks KSSS and the fellow sailors, it's time to leave and return back in 2011.

Over and Out!

Two Fast Crew


Two Fast: Winning the race of GR blogging

Datum: 10 Jul 22:01

Two Fast won the blogg competition. The committee published the following reason for the giving this trophy for Two Fast.

Motivering: Exciting and with a lot of information. We learned about Jekku and that the World Cup Final can be followed at sea.

You may follow Two Fast further in our web site http://twofastswan45.blogspot.com/.

Two Fast; Attending the Regatta Dinner

Datum: 10 Jul 19:45

Two Fast crew made a good impression by singing several Finnish and Swedish spansvisor during the dinner. After the dinner the crew is planning to go immediately to the bed.

Two Fast: Publishing a new Song Book

Datum: 10 Jul 17:24

The Two Fast Song Book, edition I, 2010

The Shore Team of Team Fast has been doing a bit of work over the week and we are happy to publish first edition of Two Fast Song Book today at 17:45.

The crew of Two Fast start practising the songs for the evening before the prize giving to be ready to perform during the Regatta Dinner starting at 19:30 in Seglarhotellet.


Two Fast: Working hard to switch boat for Cruising

Datum: 10 Jul 15:36

Serkku was lifted to the top again to have a view on Sandhamn.
The crew woke up early to switch the boat for cruising mode. As there was several damages during the race that slowed down a bit our race, we wanted to make sure that the boat is in perfect condition for the owners to use that during their summer holiday.

The crew has made a tremendous job to clean the boat, that would definately suprise the spouses of the crew.

The crew is now having follow-up meeting to review the race result, position 17.


Two Fast: Finishing the race

Datum: 10 Jul 06:16

This year's race is over and the journey around Gotland included again up-and-downs, but all the memories are positive. Even all the boats have not arrived yet our position this year will have two digits. We had a good fight for the line honour until the end and thanks to Air IV and Avantime 4 for the memorable battle from Almagrundet to Finish line.

"We now need some sleep and make further analysis during the day, but first I want to thank the crew who did outmost during the whole race, but we can't battle against the nature", says Skipper Jaakko after finishing the race.

Two Fast: The fleet is all over the Baltic

Datum: 09 Jul 18:19

After leaving Visby the fleet seems to have spread all over the Baltic Sea to find sights of wind. We made a decision to head towards west where we found some wind but will it help us enough to stay in front of the fleet, the morning will tell.


Two Fast: Wind is light ...far too light

Datum: 09 Jul 09:31

Wind is far too light before the Visby turn and Air IV (Landmark 43) succeeded to pass us with their Super Spinnaker.

Now we are challenged by Avantime 4 and Ada. It will be tough 100 miles competition to the finish line.


Two Fast: Marginals in the lead are thin

Datum: 09 Jul 06:42

We just learned that we are leading Ada by only two seconds in Knoll's Grund and in current reported results (Avantime 3 is missing) we are leading the class. The wind is very light again and we can almost hear lighter boats approaching us like predators.

We can see from Avantime 4's live video how steady they are sailing behind us and that our spinnakker is growing on the screen. We hope it's just imagination.

In last year's race we "parked" in front of Visby for two hours and we know how important it is to make succesful turn and select the right route towards Sandhamn. Skipper Jaakko and Navigator Kimmo have been sitting and discussing for the strategy for an hour and we trust they have a good plan!

Two Fast: Rounding Hoburg in leading position!

Datum: 08 Jul 20:13

Some Jekku was served to Hoburg Gubbe by Jaakko and Jukka!

The last hours have been extremely good for us and we were first in our IRC B class to round Hoburg at 19:33.

In order to make sure that we have good winds while heading to Sandhamn we gave some "Jekku" to Hoburg gubbe!

"Everything works perfect in the boat and the crew is doing great. We are currently sailing 10 knts with A5 in 15 knts SW wind", reports Navigator Kimmo.


Two Fast: Sailing by the shoreline

Datum: 08 Jul 13:25

There is a beach just around the corner, should we stop there for a swim??

It's hot over here.... damn hot!

Winds are light and we are sailing (yellow boat) next to the shoreline, as close as possible.

We just passed Östergar 12 min behind the class leader Ada. We just heard that we are in the position of 16 at Fårö Fyr, so it's getting better as planned.


Two Fast: Sailing in the leading group

Datum: 08 Jul 06:35

As we are soon turning south the bowman has couple of A spinnakkers handy next to the bunk.

We turned at Nynäshamns Angöring just after the midnight with about 10 other boats from IRC/ORC B classes. After the whole IRC B class has rounded the mark we are holding a good position at 20. We lost some time before the mark as we enjoyed a tapas dinner with half bottle of cava (rest will be drunk after the finish line) after Spain's victory.

Currently we are sailing South of Gotska Sandön with Spinnaker and there are couple of Dehler 44's and Arcona 430's around us. Our speed is around 8 knts and the Salvo Rev turning mark is only 5 miles ahead of us.

During the night we passed our Sailonline friend Armida3 (First 40.7), who is sailing around the Gotland comfortably from home couch with us. Armida3 is doing well in the race and just few miles behind the leader like us.


Two Fast: Spain joins Netherlands in World Cup final

Datum: 07 Jul 22:23

Two Fast has been following the Germany - Spain game from our Spinnaker as promised in the morning. We even managed to split the signal in quad to follow the emotions from each team's supporters as well. Now it's time to concentrate to sail again...

Two Fast: good speed towards Nynäshamn

Datum: 07 Jul 15:53

Almagrundet rounded close to the leader of our start group. Currently 3rd in IRC/ORC1 Bravo fleet.


Two Fast: Race started

Datum: 07 Jul 13:38

Rather good start and approaching Almagrundet.


Two Fast: Live World Cup Broadcast from Baltic Sea

Datum: 07 Jul 11:17

240 boats, including Two Fast, gathered to the starting area.

Tracker has been activated and you may follow how we are doing during the race at

http://race.ksss.se/Sites/Gotland-runt/Batsida/?boatId=763

As we have installed a broadband into Two Fast this morning, we invite all fellow competitors to watch the World Cup semi-final game Germany vs, Spain this evening at 20:30 Swedish Time. The game will be beamed to the spinnaker. Just follow us that you won't miss the game! If we are sailing too fast, let us know!


Two Fast: Ready to go

Datum: 07 Jul 10:17

Two Fast is ready to go to the starting area. Broad band Internet and tracker installed. Weather is excellent and both the boat and crew is in perfect condition.


Two Fast: Shifts decided .. ready to race

Datum: 06 Jul 22:41

The crew gathered around the table this evening to enjoy the dinner and setting up the shifts for the race.

"The boat showed her performance in pre race from Hangö to Sandhamn and as the winds seems to be pretty similar for next days we have a good feeling for the coming Gotland Runt", comments Skipper Jaakko.

"We also got some good news from the organizers today and we were given TrimTracker on-board that our fans around the world may follow how our race will progress. Additionally we invested for better on-board communication and it's upto our CSO/Media Manager Mika to decide over the night how we can best utilize that", adds Navigator Kimmo


Two Fast: Preparations mainly completed

Datum: 06 Jul 17:31

Crew have completed most of the preparations. Racing head stay installed, basic trim adjusted, security procedures reviewed and shift system finalized. Mental coaching ahead. Boat is ready and the crew needs to be fine tuned as well.


Two Fast: head count 10, one more to come

Datum: 06 Jul 14:23

Pekka and Fredi arrived to Sandhamn with provisionings and racing head stay + some additional sails. We are still expecting Mammu to arrive later in the evening. Trophies for Hangö - Sandhamn race received in the prize ceremony. Two Fast rig is being tuned for optimal performance taking into account the expected GR race conditions.


Two Fast: Crew busy with race preparations

Datum: 06 Jul 11:20

Two Fast crew is in full speed preparing the lady for the race start. Media manager Mika left Sandhamn and will again keep on supporting the team as CSO (Chief Shore Officer). We are very much waiting for the add-on crew members to join us at Sandhamn, with the tax-free provisionings. Pekka, Fredi and Mammu are expected to arrive later today, Tuesday.


Two Fast: Hangö - Sandhamn winner

Datum: 06 Jul 11:12

Two Fast winning team in Hangö to Sandhamn prize ceremony

IRC: winner Two Fast
ORC 1: winner Two Fast
Overall results: winner Two Fast


Two Fast: Waking up and ready for the media & work

Datum: 06 Jul 08:40

Sun is up in Sandhamn and it is already at least +25. At 0800 traditional "shot" woke up the harbour and Two Fast's media person was ready to set-up the interview on the current condition of the crew. As no media showed up this early, Skipper and Navigator decided to turn in their bunks.

Dinner at Dykarbaren last night exdellent (see view from our table), so thanks to the kitchen and waiter's once more. After the dinner the crew reviewed the working list for Tuesday and decided that all the work needs to be done, however the start timing was not set, perhaps in the morning.

The whole evening we have tried to find out from other participants on their arrival times from the Hangö to understand how the results for Hangö-Sandhamn pre-race will look like, however the picture in not clear for the results. I trust that they are ready by this evening.


Two Fast: Aperitives being served at the deck

Datum: 05 Jul 18:36

Aperitives were served on board and now the crew is heading to Dykarbaren.


Two Fast: Line honors for Hangö-Sandhamn at 12:12

Datum: 05 Jul 12:36

"This years pre-race to Sandhamn was two-folded: first we thought this will be repeat of last years Gotland Runt with no wind at all, but finally as the wind broke off, the race and speed was very good", comments Skipper Jaakko.

"We got a very good start and managed to reach the rest of the fleet after two hours and at Georg Bank we were leading the race by 20 minutes", adds Navigator Kimmo.


Two Fast: Rounding Almagrundet at 11:06


Datum: 05 Jul 11:20

The race over the Northern Baltic Sea has gone very well and we had very good pace after the wind finally started after sailing 4 hours out of Hangö.

Majority of the leg were sailed with S-SE winds and Two Fast very well with A5 Spinnakker. The whole night was reasonble warm even the wind reached 15 knts.

As the wind shifted towards SW just before reacing Almagund we need to make one short tack (15 min) to round Almagrundet.


Two Fast: The race to Sandhamn has started

Datum: 04 Jul 16:28

The race to Sandhamn started as expected and there was tight fight in the starting line.

After 2 hours of sailing, Two Fast has taken it's position and is leading the whole fleet towards Sandhamn.
The wind is still very light 2-4 knts and after the turn at Hanko I mark we filfted A5 up however the light wind forced us to put jib up again.


Two Fast: Testing the sails at starting area

Datum: 04 Jul 14:44

Two Fast has entered to the starting area to test the light sails and defining the sailing strategy.

The wind is currently very light 2-3 knts, however Two Fast is able to generate speed up to 4 knts with main sail and A1 spinnaker. This seems to the combination of the sails for the beginning.

It is one hour to the start .... and way to Sandhamn.


Two Fast: Waking up in Hangö

Datum: 04 Jul 10:24

Another beautiful morning in Hangö and after a good rest Two Fast crew is ready to hit the sea and race to Sandhamn.

As part of the crew was arriving to the boat late in the morning, we were told that they had to sleep in the room of police commander ove rthe night and the breakfast was served in the jail house.

Serkku was lifted again to the mast to take the photo of the Hangö harbour towards South.

Two Fast: Last set-up in Hangö

Datum: 03 Jul 15:18

The crew arrived to Hangö in the beginning of afternoon to switch Two Fast from cruising to racing mode. After the last weather check about ten sails were taken on board and rest were packed to Farr Mobile that was kindly loaned to us by Farr Out team.

The Security Inspection Check has been passed in Hangö harbour and last preparations for making the boat perfect for the pre-Race from Hangö to Sandhamn are almost done.

Kimmo V (Serkku) is currently in the top of the mast to fix the vindex and polish the mast, Navigator Kimmo has changed some communication parts to make sure all instruments in the boat are working properly.

The weather in Hangö is beautiful (sunshine & +25 C) and the crew is planning to spend most of the evening in a local sports bar to watch World Cup football.

The crew is eagerly waiting for the start tomorrow afternoon and is planning to spend the evening in Hangö wisely and planning the tactics carefully.

Two Fast: Preparing for Gotland Runt 2010

Datum: 02 Jul 12:34

Two Fast is preparing themselves for the years main event Gotland Runt (GR).

The preparations have gone according to the plan and the crew will switch Two Fast from cruising to racing mode in Hanko harbour during Saturday July 3rd, where also the security inspection for the GR will take place.

Two Fast is a defending the last years victory of the GR pre-race Hanko-Sandhamn both in ORCi & IRC classes and is ready for the race again this year.

The weather forecast looks promising, plenty of sunshine and 8-15 knts wind from S-SW. If the forecast remains the same, the international fans of Two Fast will see Two Fast mooring in Sandhamn harbour early on Monday morning.

Looking forward to return back to Sandhamn again!