Tough first 24 hours
Monday morning, and a significant portion of the participants have retired from this year's Gotland Runt. At around six in the morning, I counted that there were just over 40 boats still on the course.
The sailing through the archipelago on Sunday truly offered varied conditions. Light easterly winds at the start, and during the afternoon, it turned into a brisk southwest wind. In between, there was a tricky beat in Oxdjupet in light winds. Rain poured down at times, and occasionally, the sun was visible.
Many chose to head into Sandhamn. The weather forecast ahead didn't look, and still doesn't look, promising. It's better to retire when it's easy to get ashore, I believe many are thinking.
By 11 p.m. on Sunday night, 100 boats had retired from the race, including those who chose not to start.
During the night, there has been a beat in fresh, gusty winds. Those who reached Gotland have had more upwind sailing. Rain showers occurred, and there was even thunder.
Even though the wind observations at Sandön, Fårö, and Visby may not show very high sustained winds, it is evidently very gusty. Both Visby and Gotska Sandön have reported around 20 m/s in gusts.
Most retire because it's tough, and because it could get tough. But a few mishaps have also occurred. Someone had trouble with electronics. Others with sails. Even the coast guard has been busy assisting some boats.
The catamaran Allegra has just passed the Karlsöarna islands and is expected to finish on Monday afternoon. Record time? Yes, it's not impossible. Otherwise, the fleet is at the height of Fårö. In the Multihull class, only two boats remain, and in the Classic class, everyone has retired. In the double-handed class, 12 have reported retiring, but there are probably a few more. Currently, Tutalör with Christian Harding is leading ahead of Jolene.
In ORCi, it's X-41 Oxygen and First 36.7 Team Pro4u leading in their respective classes.
In SRS A, it seems to be Farr 400 Wetjob in the lead since J/111 Prim just turned towards Sandhamn. Around seven boats are left here.
In SRS B, X-362 Valkyria and Hanse 400 Siriuss are in a close battle at the height of Fårö. In SRS B, there are also around seven boats left, and the current battle is between Pogo 30 Dance and Scampin Boj Boj.
The weather forecast ahead shows continued southwest winds around 10 to 15 m/s and gusts up to 20 m/s.
Personally, I think it's nice to be on land this year.
//Niklas Qvarnström
Tangosailing.nu
