More than 300 boats to compete in Gotland Runt

Never since the start of Gotland Runt moved into the city has the interest been as great as this year. In addition, there are over 80 boats in the first ORC Doublehanded Worlds, that sail the same course around Gotland. In total, about 1800 sailors will participate.

- Gotland Runt in 2022 is almost full. We have 225 registered boats for Gotland Runt, we can take a maximum of 230. Together with the ORC doublehanded Worlds, there will be over 300 boats, says Race Director Håkan Andersson.

In 2020, the race was canceled due to the pandemic, also in 2021, the pandemic affected the competition, which among other things meant that the start was spread over two days and the social activities were very limited.
This year it will be more as usual.

Before the start, the competing boats will be in Vasahamnen on Djurgården. The actual start takes place directly south of Gröna Lund.
There will be a temporary ferry between Strandvägen and Vasahamnen for everyone who wants to go and watch the boats and mingle with crews and friends.

However, not all 300 boats will fit there.
- There is room for about 200 boats in Vasahamnen, all doublehanded boats will be prioritized and located there. Those who do not get a spot, we will be able to offer a place in other ports nearby, says Håkan Andersson.

From the beginning, KSSS was asked by ORC to arrange a doublehanded European Championship, not a World Championship. The club (KSSS) had successfully arranged the ORC EC in 2013 and assisted in the 2019 regattas when the ORC EC full crew was sailed in Oxelösund. When the organizer of the Worlds, which should have sailed in the Mediterranean, suddenly withdraw, ORC turned to KSSS.
- We hesitated at first, but then when we could arrange it at the same time as Gotland Runt and ORC bought it, we committed the arrangements, says Håkan Andersson.
- We thought there would be about 40 boats - but now we have 86 registered. So it's a bit of a horror-mixed delight. At the same time, it is fantastic that there is such an interest, he continues.

45 of the DH boats come from other countries. There are nine nations represented at the Worlds. There are both mixed crews, completely male and completely female. KSSS has as many as 15 registered, and the club's successful offshore sailors Patrik Forsgren and Jimmy Hellberg are among the favorites. In the starting lineup, KSSS has many experienced doublehanded sailors such as Fredrik Rydin, Anna Drougge and Emely Hagen.

In the race itself, there will be three DH classes that have their own starts, probably the DH boats will start before the "regular" Gotland Runt boats.
Gotland Runt sails as usual in SRS and ORCi. 59 out of 225 boats come from abroad, at least eleven countries are represented - even Australia. Largest boat is 100 feet - the smallest 27!

Håkan Andersson also says that they work to make the crews feel "more welcome" at the finish line in Sandhamn. The sailors will get better service when it comes to food, for example, regardless of what time of day you cross the finish line.
- We want the boats to stay in Sandhamn, says Håkan Andersson.
Of course, this year there will also be a regatta dinner - or rather two. One for Gotland Runt and one for the World Championchips sailors.

Another news is that twice a day, at eight o’clock in the morning and eight o’clock in the evening, a Gotland Runt Studio will be broadcast on KSSS Youtube channel, with live updates and features from the race.
For Håkan Andersson, this is the seventh time he is Race Director for Gotland Runt. He emphasizes the good cooperation with the permanent staff at KSSS club house.
- It just gets more and more fun. Year after year it feels safer, we build our organization better and better.

Facts: Participating nations in Gotland Runt and ORC DH Worlds:

Gotland Runt:

  • Australia
  • Belgium
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Switzerland
  • UK
  • Sweden
  • Germany

ORC DH Worlds:

  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Lithuania
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Sweden
  • Germany