Strong winds and tight competition mark opening day of Muhu Väina regatta

The 69th A. Le Coq Muhu Väina regatta kicked off with a day of exhilarating sailing, marked by strong winds and close competition. The event, held on the Kärdla course, saw 82 yachts from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania battling it out on the Baltic Sea.

Participants enjoyed sunny skies and wind speeds ranging from 14 to 18 knots, creating ideal conditions for offshore racing. While some yachts faced technical issues or returned to harbor, the majority experienced a successful and competitive opening day.

Race director Ari Peltomäki expressed satisfaction with the first day's proceedings. "The opening day of the regatta went exactly as planned," he stated. "The sailors completed a long offshore distance, which essentially became one long beat and run. The wind was 14-16 knots, and the conditions allowed for a very good first day of racing. We eagerly await tomorrow."

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The opening day of the regatta went exactly as planned. The sailors completed a long offshore distance, which essentially became one long beat and run. The wind was 14-16 knots, and the conditions allowed for a very good first day of racing. We eagerly await tomorrow.

In the Alexela ORC I class, the Latvian yacht NICOLE, skippered by Gatis Graudums, secured victory. Mati Sepp's CLEAN ENERGY finished second, and Hando Sutter's BERTA took third place. Graudums commented on the excellent sailing conditions, noting, "The sailing conditions today were superb – sun, 16-18 knot wind, and very good racing. It was a very good day for us, and we managed to win the first stage."

The Mount Gay ORC II class witnessed an exceptionally close finish, with the Estonian champion AMSERV TOYOTA ST, led by Margus Žuravljov, beating LUMI by a mere four seconds after corrected time. Sten Christian Taali's SUGAR finished third. Margus Nõmmik from AMSERV TOYOTA ST described the day as "very cool," highlighting the team's spirit and performance.

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The sailing conditions today were superb – sun, 16-18 knot wind, and very good racing. It was a very good day for us, and we managed to win the first stage.