Storm Capital Win 2010 Norwegian Nationals In Haugesund

In one of the best Norwegian Championships arranged in recent times, the competitive fleet was led around the course by the current World and European Corinthian champions, Storm Capital Sail Race Team. Peder Jahre and his highly competent team took an early lead in the Championship and kept their performance on a very high level for the rest of the week.

The regatta was sailed at the Europeans 2011 waters, in Haugesund, western Norway. The course situated 30 minutes out off the dock offers all kinds off conditions in spectacular scenery. The sailors had to negotiate surfing conditions in choppy seas, medium wind with land effects, tricky sea currents and light wind where the pressure slowly was increasing. The weather was immaculate, four days of bright sunshine with late summer sunsets on the dock making this an event to remember.

The committee did a great job pulling off 9 races over 3 days. The courses where as square as could be, and the event was without doubt 100% fair. For the silver and bronze their was a very close race, only 4 points between a silver or a 6th position. Peder Nergaard's team Blow did a great job and took the silver. This was a popular win, a team who have been putting in a consistent program over the last 3 years, attending the Volvo Cup events in Italy and have also set aside time to practice and race all National regattas as well. The bronze went to Dolly, with owner Erik Arthur driving, the first off the “old school” teams, being part of Melges sailing in Norway since the start over 10 years ago.

The social program included an after sail on Friday with sponsored drinks, live music and a great regatta dinner on Saturday. The boats docked just outside the regatta hotel and after sail cafe, making logistics before and after racing simple and effortless.

The drive from Oslo took around 6 hours – driving through one off Norway's most beautiful areas. Coming from the south of Europe a ferry from Denmark will take you to the closest city Stavanger, only 1,5 hours from the venue. Accommodation for the next years event is offered in all price ranges, from the Rica Maritim venue hotel down to local camping.

We would like to welcome all International Melges sailors to the big event next year, 2011 Melges 24 Europeans in Haugesund, Norway.

Results: http://idrett.speaker.no/Downloads/202684/docs/NM_2010_Melges_24_Final_results.pdf
Video: http://www.h-avis.no/videoarkiv?videoId=1486
Photos: http://www.fionabrown.phanfare.com/4816010