NATIONAL REPORT - SWITZERLAND
Close racing on Swiss lakes Outgoing Swiss class President Jack Frei reports on activities in the busy Swiss fleet during 2019. Photos are all from the 2019 Swiss Championship at the Société Nautique de Genève.
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fter two years in office as president of the Swiss 5.5 Metre fleet I can present you André Bernheim as my successor. André is well known in the 5.5 scene. His boat Skylla IV, SUI 182, can also be found at international regattas. The Swiss Nautic exhibition now only takes place every two years. In 2019 there was a show and we were able to show our 5.5 Metre there to the interested consumers. The next Swiss Nautic will take place on February 10-14, 2021. Once again, the season 2019 was opened on the occasion of the Easter regatta in Thun, with only nine boats including two foreigners, one Australian and one German at the start line. The traditional ‘Easter Egg’ was again organized by Häsu this year. Many thanks to the donor. In Torbole, Italy, there were 11 boats: 1 GBR, 1 AUS, 3 BAH, and 6 SUI. After six races Peter Morton was the winner
with three race victories and two second places, followed by the three Bahamians. The next regattas were held in Morges, on June 30-31 with the Memorial J.Fani and on July 1-2. the Coup de La Harpe was sailed. There were 10 boats on Thursday and Friday and only nine boats on Saturday and Sunday. As we all know, 10 Swiss boats is the minimum we need to be counted towards Swiss Sailing allowing us to sail a championship. The highlight of this season 2019 was the Swiss Championship at the SNG Geneva. With 15 boats at the start, of which 12 were Swiss, the limit set by Swiss Sailing for a Top: Day 1 of the 2019 Swiss Open on Lake Geneva • Left: Caracole • Above: Marie-Françoise XIX • Top right: Launching against the Geneva skyline
66 • fivepointfive • april 2020