First edition of new event based on ORC International rule will be organised in July 2008 by Kalev Yacht Club of Pirita, Estonia  and Nyländska Jaktklubben (NJK) based in Helsinki, Finland. Offshore sailors from countries around the northern Baltic,  Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia and Latvia have during the years met each other in a number of events, including Round Gotland Race in Sweden and Espoo – Suursaari Race in Finland.

Now the countries are going one step further: Finland and Estonia are combining their respective national ORCi championship events into a new event, tne Baltic Offshore Week.

The first edition of the  event will  be based in Tallinn’s olympic Pirita marina and run between July, 22nd and 27th,2008. Participating boats thus have the opportunity to continue to the ORCi European Championship in Marstrand, Sweden.

In addition to Finnish and Estonian boats, offshore racers from all other countries are invited to participate in the event.

In future years, the event will alternate between Finland and Estonia – and possibly other countries.

Both Kalev Yacht Club and NJK have a long tradition of organising international offshore events. This fact as well as the impressive facilities at Pirita and the clean sailing waters of the Gulf of Finland set the scene for intense competition and active social life between the races. The new ORCi rating rule will be used for the event and an ORCi certificate is thus required.

Interest is high on both sides of the Gulf of Finland and 50-60 Finnish and Estonian boats are expected to participate. In addition to these, organisers look forward to seeing 10-20 boats from other countries participate in the event.

Photo: Ari Peltomäki