Since 7 years now some sailors start the season by combining a day of ski together with a match race. It may sound a bit strange going up to Gstaad Yacht Club to sail a match race. Don’t worry it’s on of the finest sailing events I’m having the pleasure to be part every year.
The entire sailing part is held Sunday 5th March in the swimming hall of Gstaad with some reliable wind turbines, a couple of radio controlled IACC yacht models, sponsors, a dozen of well known clubs, fine food, a race officer and 2 umpires giving there best to keep the crowd in good mood.
The first flights starts in the morning, depending on the ski result the teams have to sail against each other in a direct elimination mode until the quarterfinal where we start with best of 3 rounds.
It all seems very simple until it comes to a tacking duel or a tight downwind……it makes quite a difference between standing on a boat on the helm being close to your opponent instead at the pool edge with a radio control device in the hand.
Last year we had tight final between Societe Nautique de Genève against Royal Yacht Squadron. It took the SNG 5 matches to win the 3 points against the Squadron.
Take a look at the sailing instructions of this year.As soon as we receive the complete entry list we will update this post.Jürg
Photos taken by matchrace.ch
