Press Releases

11.1.2006 Large Participation to World Championships of DN-Iceyacht Ice Sailing in Finland.

Press release Helsinki 11th of January 2006
For Immediate release

The 33rd World Championships of DN ice sailing to be arranged in Finland in early March 2006 has attracted large and international participation. 193 sailors representing 18 nationalities have registered to the event.

The chairman of the organizing committee and the Finnish DN-Iceyacht Association, Timoleon Caravitis L-37 says the registration has happened according to expectations and that the competition arrangements are proceeding very well. The regatta will have participation from Europe, Russia and North America. The race which is every second year arranged in North America and every second year in Europe is now arranged for the 33rd time and for the second time by the Finnish DN Iceyacht association.

Due to the nature of the sport of ice sailing, the actual venue for the regatta is decided upon only just before the actual race and the location is selected based upon the best possible ice conditions. As this is a World Championship the aim is to find as good ice as possible close to accommodation and spectators. The primary site for the race is lake Pyhäjärvi at Säkylä in south-western Finland. There are alternative regatta venues along the south- and west coast of Finland and inland on lakes such as lake Näsijärvi near Tampere. Around 200 sailors participate annually in the world championships from 20 countries. In 2004 nine Finnish sailors participated in the championships. Best Finns have found themselves in the top 10 in the European or World championships. Especially this year is interesting from a Finnish perspective as our best sailors have put a medal as target.

Finnish Championships in DN ice sailing have been arranged since 1983. Ice sailing is the fastest class of sailing where the top speeds of the fastest yachts can reach velocities over 140 km/h. The high speeds and rapdily changing positions make ice sailing an interesting sport to follow. The interest towards Ice sailing has increased during recent years.