Russian GPS jamming disrupts international sailing event in Klaipėda

Klaipėda, Lithuania, is set to host the European ORC Championship, drawing a formidable fleet of international sailing teams. Despite geopolitical challenges, including concerns over Russian GPS signal jamming in the Baltic Sea, the event promises intense competition.

Championship organizers acknowledged that the regional geopolitical situation presented a significant hurdle in inviting teams. Several crews expressed apprehension regarding Russia's interference with GPS signals, which are critical for maritime navigation. Nevertheless, Klaipėda will welcome a strong contingent of European sailors, featuring world and European champions, state-of-the-art racing yachts, and teams vying for top honors.

Among the notable participants is Sweden's "Garmin Team Pro4u," the reigning world champion from last year and a runner-up in the 2024 European Championship. The team is eager to test their skills in Lithuanian waters, with the European Championship being their primary goal for the season. "We are expecting a truly competitive battle among the strongest European teams," stated a representative from "Garmin Team Pro4u," noting that the team has undergone minor changes and has been diligently preparing both its crew and yacht.

The championship will see both the larger A and B yacht groups competing together in a single A/B category, presenting an additional challenge for B group yachts racing against their slightly larger A group counterparts. Denmark's "Dixi 5" team, a silver medalist in both the 2024 European and 2025 World Championships, is determined to secure a gold medal this time. "We have a really strong and experienced team, as well as a competitive XR-41 class boat. I think our starting positions are good," said Erikas Stannow, owner of "Dixi 5." He added that the unfamiliar waters will require quick learning and adaptation.

Adding to the competitive intrigue are the latest M.A.T. 11 class yachts, a design that won the recent World ORC Championship in Italy. Notably, Lithuania will be represented by the "Arabela" team, captained by Raimondas Šiugždinys, aboard one of these cutting-edge yachts. "It's still very difficult to say how we will perform with this yacht on the water. Intensive preparation work is currently underway – from electronics installation..."