Hanse 430 Wins The Baltic Sprint Cup

HanseYachts does not actually build any racing yachts or offer a regatta range. But that you are nevertheless able to win races with a HanseYacht was proven by the outstanding performance of the Hanse 430 „Frühstücksdirektor“ during the Baltic Sprint Cup 2007. From 20th July to 3rd August a first class regatta fleet of 26 yachts sailed in five legs from Copenhagen to Pärnu in Estonia. 630 nautical miles in 15 days – a real challenge for crews and equipment.

This time participating: Two yachts from the serial production from Greifswald. The Hanse 430 „Frühstücksdirektor“ with skipper Jörn Bock did not only take the overall victory but was also able to complete 4 legs as the leading yacht. Furthermore, she received the special prize for the yacht with the fastest sailed overall time. The Hanse 371 „Schüddelfrost“ came third overall after winning the class in the second leg and was additionally awarded the prize for the youngest crew.

Even during the first leg from Copenhagen to Sassnitz with light and foremost abaft winds the Hanse 430 „Frühstücksdirektor“ was able to proof her great speed. The prize: Winning the leg and taking the yellow flag of the overall leading yacht.

Following a typical early morning start and a tough catch-up race with up to 13.8 knots maximum speed „Frühstücksdirektor“ only had to surrender to the larger Grand Soleil 46.3 „Philomena“ during the second leg from Sassnitz to Gdansk. The Hanse 371 „Schüddelfrost“ with her skipper Friedrich Böhnert won her class.

The third leg from Gdansk to Klaipeda began with a chaotic start: Just before the start gun the wind died and caused great chaos with regards to who had the right of way. Thanks to her ideal performance during light winds and her great speed when sailing to wind the Hanse 430 was awarded winner of her class and was able to build on her overall lead.

The fourth leg from Klaipeda (Latvia) to Ventspils in Latvia was designed to be a real sprint: „Frühstücksdirektor“ was able to do the 106 nautical miles in 12 hours and secured another first in class and was thus able to secure the overall victory in the Baltic Sprint Cup 2007 even before the final leg to Parnü in Estonia. The „Schüddelfrost“ took second place in group B during this leg.

The Hanse 430 „Frühstücksdirektor“ also won the fifth leg and again proved clearly her dominance over the rest of the fleet. The Hanse 371 „Schüddelfrost“ was able to gain more points coming third in this leg to also take third place overall and defend the bronze medal.

Important for a serial production yard like HanseYachts is not only the prestigious victories at well-known regattas but particularly the experience with the materials under permanent use and conclusions from modifications made.

For the Baltic Sprint Cup the Hanse 430 had been relieved of its special equipment. With the help of the design team judel / vrolijk & co and Northsails the sail plan had been adapted to match the expected wind conditions and small amendments had been made to the standard rig.

The comment from the skipper Jörn Bock: „We really enjoyed sailing „Frühstücksdirektor“ and she did a really good job and survived the race really well, too. Below deck everything stayed dry, all sails stayed intact, only a bulb of the starboard navigation light died and the service batteries were pretty flat at the end which was not due to a technical error but due to the high consumption from the electronics and the navigation lights. We kind of underestimated that.“

„Frühstücksdirektor“: Skipper Jörn Bock, crew Ralph Moser, Nico Jeschonnek, Jan Dabelstein, Jörn Diercks, Randel Kreitsberg and Timo Jacobs. „Schüddelfrost“: Skipper Friedrich Böhnert, Crew Ingo Böhnert, Arno Böhnert, Heinke Böhnert, Inga Böhnert and Paula Zaininger.

Source: Hanse Yachts