X-Yachts Ostsee Cup 2003

The weekend of 10th August
The winds on Flensburg fjord pick up to 10 knots after a month of almost unbroken stillness. The timing could not have been more fortunate for the organisers and participants of the X-Yachts Ostsee Cup. Beautiful surroundings FSC (Flensburg Segel Club) in Glücksburg, Germany is nestled mid way along the inner fjord leading to the old trading town of Flensburg. The FSC has a stately modern club house which is perfectly located, surrounded by forests, lakes and beaches. Whether you are enjoying a drink in the bar or outside on the lawns, spectacular sunset views of the Danish coastline are a must.

45 X-Yachts boats
In total 45 X-Yachts had registered for racing and were moored along the FSC bridges on Friday 9th August. Some had scheduled the Ostsee Cup into their annual holiday, some had travelled from as far away as Finland, not to mention the healthy turn-out from “local” clubs dotted along the Ostsee coast from Flensburg to Kiel, and beyond.


Mediterranean atmosphere
With daytime temperatures of 30°C, there was a distinct Mediterranean atmosphere on the bridges of FSC on Friday as families and crews prepared their boats for the next days racing. The efficient and friendly regatta office handed out free X-Yachts T-shirts, racing programmes and local tourist information. As preparations were finishing, a Dixie jazz quartet was ferried between the bridges to serenade the crews and to officially open the Ostsee Cup event. An excellent buffet in the club house with background jazz music became the meeting point for everyone, and the organizers had been thoughtful enough not to put the starting time too early (11 am), so that the social element could be fully enjoyed without the fear of an early morning hangover start!



1st Race
Race 1 started in soaring temperatures and a 6-8 knots of a southeasterly breeze. A good starting line with no bias end resulted in a well spread fleet. Line honours was taken by the IMX 45 but on corrected time the X-332 “Blue” won overall.

2nd Race
For the second race on Saturday, the wind had increased slightly which provided even closer racing. The X-332 Sports made their mark in Sport Class C1 with a first and second in each race. On the last beat the crews were tested with approx 10 tacks – a sure fire way to build up a thirst! The thirst was quenched first with a swim in the fiord before heading back into harbour. (Some people who hadn’t been in for a swim were thrown off the bridges to cool down!). Any remaining thirst was greeted by free beer on the main bridge.

“IFs and BUTs” stories
During the evening’s entertainment of prize-giving, followed by outdoor live music and dancing, many “IFs and BUTs” stories were exchanged among the sailors. A closer look at the results revealed that 1 point separated 4 boats in Class C2 and the next day’s racing would decide the winners. Sunday greeted the fleet with a beautiful blue sky and 10-14 knots of easterly winds. Shorts and T-shirts or bikinis were the order of the day and several yachts were busy filling water bombs and rigging up water catapults for “Startline games” before heading out on the fiord.


3rd Race
A long-distance race with navigational and laid marks meant an extended beat out of the Flensburg fiord and a long run with a few gybes back home. Both the family and sport classes enjoyed their day on the water and settled the group results. The closest racing was between 2 X-79s and an X-99. On the overall result an X-332 Sport took the cup, closely followed by X-79, X-99 and X-332.
The consensus among the teams on Sunday evening was that the Baltic Cup 2003 will be remembered for excellent organisation, tropical land and sea temperatures, wonderful wind conditions and perfect after-sail entertainment. We are all looking forward to repeating the experience in 2004.

Siobhan Bastiansen
(crew member on X-332 “Sailtron X Press”)
Results · Ostsee Cup 2003