Finland

Home to world’s oldest racing 5.5

In Finland we have had a permanent regatta programme for about 30 years. it starts in helsinki in June and ends the last weekend of August. only one newer regatta has been included to the programme and it is in turku, 200 km west of helsinki. But there is no problem because we have a second fleet there, two 5.5s. Both boats are from the period before helsinki olympics.

Actually we have an early 1950s renaissance in Finland. Because of the Olympics in 1952 many boats were built here. The total number was 13 and ten of them still exist (#1, #2, #4, #6, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13). Four of them (#4, #6, #9, #12) are in perfect racing trim. Two of them, #1 & #10, are in refit. Important is that the oldest 5.5m in the world is still sailing and last autumn it came to Helsinki, maybe waiting for a renovation. So in future here will be one oldest 5.5s in the world racing, seven boats from before the Olympics in Helsinki.

From the present 1950s-boats racing three are measured and have valid certificates. Vis-a-vis has a certificate with original marks and weight and has the bonus rating 5.52, the others Trial and Skylark have a rating 5.50 because they have the 2% overweight (then the boat can not get the rating 5.52).

Boats from Turku, Trial and Skylark were active in the early season and Trial won all three regattas she sailed. The later season was dominated by Scatoulitsa 4 in the last three regattas.

Scatoulitsa proposed to sail only with two man restricted COVID crews in but all others wanted to sail with three. Only Scatoulitsa sailed two-handed with very good results.

Worst regatta was the Champagne Regatta at HSS because there was no champagne.

Later in September Vis-a-vis and Scatoulitsa sailed two regattas in Helsinki with handicap with other classes.

there wAs ProbAbly more 5.5 metre rAcing in finlAnd in 2020 thAn Any other country. matti muoniovaara rePorts.

results summAry 1 Helsinki Regatta, HSS, Helsinki, 27-28.6

1) Trial FIN-4, TPS, Ville Harkke (1-1-1-1-1-1) 5.0; 2) Skylark L-6, ASS, Filip Blomquist (2-2-2-2-2-2) 10.0; 3) Vis-a-vis FIN-9, SuPS, Ari Bungers (3-3-3-dnc-dnc-dnc) 15.0; 4) Pohjantähti FIN-12, HP, Juho Peltonen (4-4-4-3-3-3) 17.0; 5) Scatoulitsa 4 Z-69, M, Matti Muoniovaara (dnc-dnc-dnc-dnc-dnc-dnc) 24.0.

2 Hanko Regatta, Hanko, 3-5.7

1) Skylark L-6, ASS, Filip Blomquist (1-1-1-1-1) 4.0; 2) Vis-a-vis, FIN9, SuPS, Ari Bungers (2-2-.2-2-) 8.0

3 Airisto Classic, ASS, Turku, 25-26.7

1) Trial FIN-4, TPS, Ville Harkke (1-2-1-1-1) 4.0; 2) Skylark L-6, ASS, Filip Blomquist (2-1-2-2-2) 7.0; 3) DB Kisen FIN-15, DBS, Sam Forsbom (3-3-3-3 -3) 12.0.

4 Champagne Regatta, HSS, Helsinki, 8-9.8

1) Scatoulitsa 4 Z-69, M, Matti Muoniovaara (1-1-dns-1-1-1) 5.0; 2) Vis-a-vis FIN-9, SuPS, Ari Bungers (2-2-1-2-2-2) 9.0; 3) Remi FIN-41, HSK, Olli Kanerva ( 3-3-2-ret-3-3) 14.0; 4) Pohjantähti FIN-12, HP, Juho Peltonen (4-4-3-3-4-4) 18.0.

5 Viaporin Tuoppi, SuPS, Helsinki, 15.8

1) Scatoulitsa 4 Z-69, M, Matti Muoniovaara 14:19.48, 3:09.48 2) Vis-a-Vis FIN-9, SuPS Ari Bungers 14.32.45, 3:22.45; 3) Pohjantähti FIN-12, HP, Juho Peltonen 14.42.32, 3:32.32; 4) Remi FIN-41, HSK, Olli Kanerva 15:03.19, 3:53.19.

6 Kruunuvuorenselän Regatta, Helsinki BS, 29-30.8

1) Scatoulitsa 4 Z-69, M, Matti Muoniovaara (1-1-1-1) 3.0; 2) Vis-a-vis L-9, SuPS, Ari Bungers (2-2-2-2) 6.0; 3) Remi FIN-41 Olli Kanerva (3-dns-dnc-dnc) 11.0.