2019 WORLDS AND GOLD CUP - HELSINKI, FINLAND
Anniversary Gold Cup and Worlds in Helsinki
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2019 marked the 70th Annivesary of the 5.5 Metre and the 100th Anniversary of the first Scandinavian Gold Cup. The class returned to the Nyländska Jaktklubben (NJK) in Helsinki, Finland for the Worlds and the Gold Cup.
century ago, the Nyländska Jaktklubben (NJK) in Helsinki, Finland, created a rather small and ornate prize for a race between yachts in Scandinavia. That first year, 1949, it was a single race between teams from Sweden and Finland. Sweden won. Later it was handed over to the Scandinavian Yacht Racing Union (SYRU) and an international competition was sailed in 6 Metres. In 1953, with the 5.5 Metre was the only metre rule keelboat left in the Olympics, and since then Scandinavian Gold Cup has been sailed in 5.5 Metres. The 2019 Scandinavian Gold Cup and World Championship returned to the NJK for two weeks of great competition and nostalgia. The 100th Anniversary Scandinavian Gold Cup, the 92nd sailing of the Cup, was fought over by nine 5.5 Metres. The fleet was the most competitive for some time. Many
regard the Scandinavian Gold Cup as a crucial part of the class’s history, an event that held the interest in the class, and held it together, in the post Olympic years. The format for the Gold Cup is unlike any other. After three races, only those who have won a race stay in. The winner is the first to three wins. So the event can be over in three races or it can last to the full seven races. At the most, three boats can move to the finals stage. But is often ends up as a match race. Top: Packed start line during World Championhip Left: Start during the Scandinavian Gold Cup • Above: Scatoulitsa 4 departs from the NJK, in the heart of Helsinki • Opposite top: Day 1 of the Scandinavian Gold Cup • Right: Artemis XIV • Far right: Crew of Artemis XIV celebrate Gold Cup victory
36 • fivepointfive • april 2020
