PRESS RELEASE: The A. Le Coq 60th Moonsund Regatta Finished in Riga | 18 Jul 17, piret.salmistu

In one week 139 yachts from five countries with over eight hundred sailors on board raced approximately 260 miles, starting the jubilee regatta in Haapsalu and visiting the harbours of Kuivastu, Roomassaare, Kihnu and Pärnu. On Friday night the Moonsund fleet arrived in the final harbour – Riga from where the first ever Moonsund Regatta started in the opposite direction sixty years ago.

 

TÄISMAHUS PTRESSITEADET VAATA SIIT


The final stage of the jubilee Moonsund Regatta was raced as the longest stage of the Regatta – the OlyBet stage from Pärnu to Riga. The stage that lasted for fourteen hours was the most exciting for the ORC I group, because this stage decided the overall winner of the Regatta. Steered by Tiit Vihul, the Hiiumaa yacht club Dagö yacht Olympic started the last stage from lead position with one-point lead in front of Kalev Yacht Club’s yacht Forte, which was steered by Jaak Jõgi. 


The last stage offered excellent sailing conditions - 5-7 m/s of wind took the sailors from the Pärnu Bay to the sunny island of Kihnu and from there on with full winds to Riga. The participants could enjoy the good sailing winds until almost midnight. Then the wind went quiet and choosing the right side of the track turned out to be decisive. Those who chose the left bank side of the track had made the winning decision. Forte and Olympic held an exciting sailing battle, checking each other throughout the entire stage. However, Eero Pank's Reval Café Sailing Team from Kalev Yacht Club took advantage of this duel, taking the victory of the Pärnu-Riga stage and securing the overall third place in the ORC I group. 


After the even race, the best position of the last stage, i.e. the second result was won by Forte, which meant that due to the even score, Olympic won overall second place in the Regatta. The decisive fact was that Forte had more stage wins and they were more successful in the last competition race. Thus the victory of the Regatta in the ORC I group was awarded to Forte for already sixth time.


The last competition race in the ORC II group was won by Directo from Kalev Yacht Club, which was steered by Erki Melts, but the Regatta victory was taken to Kalev Yacht Club by Juss Ojala’s team on yacht Jazz. For Jazz it was already the sixth time to win the Moonsund Regatta. The second place was taken by Evelyn III steered by Kristen Pugi from Saaremaa Marine Sports Society/Kalev Yacht Club. The third place on the podium and bronze medals were awarded to Amserv Toyota Sailing Team from Kalev Yacht Club, steered by Margus Žuravljov.


In the ORC III group, the yachts from Russia won in the Riga stage as well as in overall account. Kvartet, steered by Vassilii Alekseev won the stage but lost to yacht Fart steered by Anatoly Shukanov in the overall table. The winner of the third place was also from Russia – Leonid Chizik’s Bamby. The three best of this group were awarded the Estonian Championship medals during the award ceremony.


In ESTLYS I, the winner of the Riga stage was the Latvian vessel Extra Brut, which was steered by Aleksei Aleksejev. However, the regatta victory was awarded to another Latvian yacht LeMans, which was steered by Kristaps Remess. The second place was taken by yacht Katarina Jee, steered by Mart Tamm from Saaremaa Marine Sports Society and the third place was awarded to Kalev Yacht Club’s yacht Tessa with captain Alar Ivanson.


In ESTLYS II, the winner of the race from Pärnu to Riga was Guido Grass and Pinta from Saaremaa Marine Sports Society. In the overall ranking, Pinta took third place. The best of the Regatta was captain Mikk Metstak’s Brigitta from Kalev Yacht Club, for whom it was the second time to win the Moonsund Regatta. The second place was awarded to Nikita Brilliantov’s Onega from St. Petersburg.


In ESTLYS III, the winner of the last stage was Latvian Irisha steered by Aleksander Smertjevs. However, the winner’s trophy of the Moonsund Regatta was held high by female captain Pille Kaas on Aurora from Haapsalu Yacht Club, for the second year in a row, no less. The second place and silver medals were awarded to team Mercurius with captain Margus Tasa from Saaremaa Marine Sports Society and Meeri with captain Tiit Kaljuveer’s team from Haapsalu Yacht Club came in third.


During the last stage, the winner among the Folkboots was Jaanus Nõgisto’s Muinasjutukuningas from Kalev Yacht Club. For one member of the team – Julius Tarand, this was a beautiful 19th birthday present. The winner of the Regatta and Estonian Champion of this class was Lind steered by Nõgisto’s clubmate Tiit Riisalo. The silver medals of the Estonian Championship belonged to Olev Oolup’s team on yacht Bacchus (Haapsalu Yacht Club) and the third place was awarded to Peeter Välkmann’s yacht Tee Chee. Tee Chee’s team includes Enn Normak who also participated in the second Moonsund Regatta in 1959.


A. Le Coq 60th Moonsund Regatta best three yachts and sailors of each group:


ORC I  - 10 participating yachts

I Forte, EST475, Kalev Yacht Club, captain Jaak Jõgi - 12 p
Team: Indrek Rajangu, Martin Kaal, Kalev Kaal, Aet Rahe, Kalev Vapper, Indrek Lepp, Ando Raud, Meelis Nurk, Tammo Otsasoo

II Olympic, EST463, Dago Yacht Club, captain Tiit Vihul - 12 p
Team: Meelis Pielberg, Indrek Ulla, Raul Vane, Marko Ollik, Tarmo Vesberg, Tanel Trööp, Aivar Kaljumäe, Jana Kiik, Rauno Kiik

III Reval Cafe, EST703, Kalev Yacht Club, captain Eero Pank – 18 p
Team: Indrek Tiits, Ivari Kokk, Rene Treifeldt, Kristian Allikmaa, Toomas Talts, Anu Varvik, Taavi Tikenberg

 

ORC II – 11 participating yachts

I Jazz, EST465, Kalev Yacht Club, captain Juss Ojala – 17 p
Team: Rasmus Schneider, Mihkel Eller, Jaanus Laikmaa, Viljar Sepp, Siim Viljakainen, Tarmo End

II Evelyn III, EST477, Saaremaa Marine Sports Society /Kalev Yacht Club, captain Kristen Pugi – 21 p
Team: Marko Saarlaid, Koit Leemet, Andri Meius, Mart Liibert, Kai Lõppe, Priit Aulik

III Amserv Toyota ST, EST379, Kalev Yacht Club, captain Margus Zuravljov - 24 p
Team: Martti Kinkar, Mati Vihul, Olari Vokk, Lauri Luks, Margus Nõmmik, Jaanus Talp, Külliki Luks, Eva Jakunin


CDL < 8 – ORC III – Estonian Championship – 15 participating yachts

I Fart, RUS1119, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, captain Anatoly Shukanov – 12 p
Team: Vitalii Vovk, Aleksandra Akopian, Alishev Tapparov, Kseniia Matis

II Kvartet, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, captain Anatoly Shukanov – 14 p
Team: Andrey Reshetov, Andrey Buravlev, Mikhail Kubanets, Aleksandra Kubanets
III Bamby, Russia, captain Leonid Chizhik – 22 p
Team: Sergei Belov, Daria Belova, Oleg Koblik, Dmitrii Orlov

 

ESTLYS I – 28 participating yachts

I Le Mans, EST324, Latvia, captain Kristaps Remess – 17 p
Team: Eriks Martinovs, Karlis Salmins, Ainis Pujens, Marlis Simsons, Indars Kalnins, Ricards Omanbrieds, Anrdejs Buls

II Katarina Jee, EST464, Saaremaa Marine Sports Society, captain Mart Tamm – 18 p
Team: Madis Tamm, Tanel Tamm, Andres Tamm, Tanel Peeters, Karl Mölder, Jan Raudsepp, Indrek Aavik, Urmas Pastarus

III Tessa, EST324, Kalev Yacht Club, captain Alar Ivanson – 20 p
Team: Aleksander Ott, Kaupo Kala, Karl Saluveer, Meelis Mõtlik, Ott Vatter, Mihkel Masso, Kadri Sild


ESTLYS II – 26 yachts

I Brigitta, EST295, Kalev Yacht Club, captain Mikk Mestak – 21 p
Team:
Kert Valamaa, Roger Niitmäe, Janni Kriiska, Karl Ahun, Gaius Mets
II Onega, RUS671, Russia, Nikita Nikita Brilliantov – 25 p

Team: Pavel Plevako, Petr Boshakov, Vitaly Shushponov, Nikita Tselyaritsiy, Gleb Viakherev, Tatiana Petrova, Sergei Tutukin

III Pinta, EST57, Saaremaa Marine Sports Society, captain Guido Grass – 27 p
Team:
Mati Hool, Allan Niils, Jüri Aigro, Kalev Raidjõe, Keit Grass

 

ESTLYS III – 36 participating yachts

I Aurora, EST575, Haapsalu Yacht Club, captain Pille Kaas – 18 p
Team: Mikk Link, Joosep Link, Kristi Parro, Kaarel Kaasik, Kristjan Ulm

II Mercurius, EST45, Saaremaa Marine Sports Society, captain Margus Tasa – 21 p
Team: Indrek Kivi, Rain Aun, Tiina Maalinn, Mihkel Šesterikov

III Meeri, EST634, Haapsalu Yacht Club, captain Tiit Kaljuveer – 28 p
Team:
Kertu Kaljuveer, Herdis Jõpiselg, Joonas Kiisler

 

Folkboot – Estonian Championship – 13 participating yachts

I Lind, EST32, Kalev Yacht Club, captain Tiit Riisalo – 12 p
Team: Signe Riisalo, Vaiko Vooremaa
II Bacchus, EST37, Haapsalu Yacht Club, captain Olev Oolup – 15 p
Team:
Andrus Padu, Ott Oolup

II Tee Chee, ESTF38, Kalev Yacht Club, captain Peeter Välkmann – 19 p
Team: Enn Normak, Urmas Oja


The last day of the Regatta in Riga was dedicated to promoting sailing in Estonia, where a party called Sail In Estonia took place in the new Pilsetas Yacht Club harbour and the nearby regatta village in Riga city centre by the Daugava river. Additionally, the people of Riga had the opportunity to enjoy a grand view of 80 yachts sailed in squadron on Daugava, with a towboat shooting water in front of the squadron.

The atmosphere was festive when the winners of the jubilee Regatta were awarded at the Pilsetas Yacht Club by the Daugava river in the centre of Riga Saturday afternoon.


At the final ceremony of the A. Le Coq 60th Moonsund Regatta, the sailors were also awarded with the humorous special prizes by Rahva Raamat bookstore. The title of the youngest participant of the Regatta was given to the 11-year-old Kristjan Kööp from yacht Silvia from Kalev Yacht Club, the title of the oldest participant was given to Enn Normak, who was born in 1946 and was sailing on Kalev Yacht Club’s yacht Tee Chee. The youngest captain of the Regatta was the 25-year-old Ülari Velviste on yacht Lagle II from Saaremaa Marine Sports Society. The same yacht was also declared the youngest team of the Regatta. A special award was also given to the first yacht that registered to participate in the Regatta and this honour went to Kalev Yacht Club’s Berta. Additionally, special awards were given to the yachts who were 100th and 140th to register – Kalev Yacht Club’s Iti and Viia, respectively. The female captains – Pille Kaasi on Aurora from Haapsalu Yacht Club, Annika Malvat on Kaija from Noblessner Club, Anne-Mari Luik on Equipe du Piloiller from ROPK/Kalev Yacht Club and Maarja Kask on Farozon from Kalev Yacht Club, were also welcomed on stage and recognised with great applause. The captain with the most stage wins was Jaak Jõgi on Forte, the yacht Lind from Kalev Yacht Club was recognised as the best in the Folkboot class, the best performance in the LYS group was shown by Pinta from Saaremaa Marine Sports Society. The title of a foreign yacht that has participated in the Regatta the most is Dmitry Mostovoy’s vessel Prizrak. Another recognition was also given to a team consisting of members with only the same last name on the yacht Centaur from Saaremaa Marine Sports Society. Special ovations were given to Aleksandra Kubanets on the Russian yacht Kvartet who during the 2016 Regatta became a social media hero when during the last stage, in attempts to save the sail stuck on the mast, climbed to the top of the mast on the yacht that had strongly heeled in the wind. A special recognition was given to Olev Roosma, who as the Manager of Kalev Yacht Club organised the Moonsund Regatta for years and with whose help the recently opened Moonsund Regatta display at the Seaplane Harbour was set up.


All 21 best teams of the A. Le Coq 60th Moonsund Regatta received beautiful glass trophies made by artist Agnes Torm, and for the first time, the best were awarded the special jubilee regatta medals. A few winners of the groups were recognised with the victory swim.

All results
OlyBet Pärnu-Riga photogallery (there will be more photos added) - Piret Salmistu / Kalev Yacht Club; Pavel Nesvadba ; Ardi Truija / Postimees
Sail in Estonia Party and Prize Giving in Riga - photogallery  (more photos will be added ) - Piret Salmistu / Kalev Yacht Club; Pavel Nesvadba 
Videos and interviews - Tiit Aunaste / A4 Media and Moonsund Regatta


The activities at sea were coordinated and supervised by the Principal Race Officer Andres Talts and his team, protests on the sea were solved by the Protest Committee Chairman Alfredo Ricci from Italy, who was an arbiter at the 35th Americas Cup recently held on Bermuda. The yachts were measured and checked by the team of Arvet Tetsmann, the work of the Regatta Office was led by the team of the Head of Race Office Krista Liiv and the organisation of the entire regatta was steered by Regatta Director Indrek Ilves. Entertainment and on shore program was organised by Andreas Lukin. The organising clubs were represented by Renè Allik, Raiko Lehtsalu and Rain Riim. The Regatta information was made available to the sailors and media by Piret Salmistu and Kalev Vapper, and the regatta marketing and information organisation was facilitated by Anneli Lepp.


The A. Le Coq Moonsund Regatta is organised by Kalev Yacht Club, Pärnu Yacht Club and Saaremaa Marine Sports Society in cooperation with the Estonian Yachting Union. The supporters of the Moonsund Regatta are: A. Le Coq, Postimees/Eesti Meedia, Helly Hansen/Sportland, DSV, Dermoshop, LoodusInvest, OlyBet, Smarta.ee, Mount Gay, Danske Bank, COCO Active, Rahva Raamat, EAS, Euro Oil, Go Bus, Auto Forte, Haven Kakumäe, Estonian Maritime Rescue Organization, the cities of Haapsalu, Pärnu and Kuressaare, Kihnu Municipality, the Port of Riga.


Regatta homepage www.muhuvain.ee 
Regatta Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/muhuvainaregatt/ 
Live in Postimees portal – www.postimees.ee 
GPS tracking - http://www.sportrec.eu/?page_id=671
Best bits, photos and news from the Regatta - Postimees portal Sailing /Moonsund Regatta page.

Additional information:

Indrek Ilves
Regatta director
E-mail: indrek@kjk.ee 
Phone: +372 505 2526
www.kjk.ee

 

Renè Allik
Kalev Yacht Club
E-mail: renè@kjk.ee
Phone: +372 523 3308
www.kjk.ee


Raiko Lehtsalu
Pärnu Yacht Club
E-mail: Raiko.Lehtsalu@YachtClub.ee 
Phone: +372 508 8493
www.YachtClub.ee 

 

Rain Riim
Saaremaa Marine Sports Society
E-mail: Rain.Riim@tridens.ee
Phone: +372 502 0942

 

Ott Kallas
Secretary General, Estonian Yachting Union
Phone: +372 564 3914
E-mail: ott@puri.ee
www.puri.ee


Piret Salmistu
Kalev Yacht Club
Regatta Communication Manager
E-mail: piret.salmistu@gmail.com

Phone: +372 507 7217