Travel partners John Winquist L601 and Timoleon “Cara” Caravitis at the one and two block at the start of Race 7.

Grand Masters Day 2 Report
Results
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With the snow melted from the ice and a 9-knot breeze, speed sails and 90-degree runners were the choices of the day, according to Mike Bloom US321. Four race winners (Holger Petzke G890, Jean Claude Vuithier Z39, John Winquist L601, and Tomas Lindgren S81) indicated a competitive fleet and made for exciting spectating from my own caller’s point of view.

In addition to the Race Committee (Dideric, Vesa, Fosse, Deb, and Mercedes), a separate Racer’s Committee was appointed, consisting of Manfred Schrieber G99, John Winquist L601, and John Claude Vuithier Z29. They help decide things like the number of races and whether the conditions are suitable for racing. The sailors are instructed to go to them with questions about anything that happens on the race course.

At dinner last night, competitors filled long tables and recounted the racing. Olli Virta L121, one of the Grand Master (GM) founders, joined our table last night and helped us celebrate the birthday of a co-founder of the GM (he knows who he is) and the birth of Hakon Elfstrom’s grandson. In addition to the excellent food here, the hotel is less than five minutes from the launch. Rattvik is one of the best regatta locations I’ve ever experienced.

I could hear the wind rattling the windows during the night. The forecast is for a big breeze. Today is the last day of the regatta.

Mike Bloom US321 at the opening ceremony on Lake Siljan in Rattvik, Sweden.

RESULTS
2023 Grand Masters Day 1 Report
Note: I’m actually back at the hotel right now after Day 2, but didn’t have internet access to post the Day 1 reporyt earlier this morning. 
Hej from Lake Siljan in Rattvik, Sweden, and the fourth annual DN Grand Masters regatta. The Grand Masters regatta is open to DN sailors 60 years and over. Competitors must start each race with one leg on the plank; no track meet running is allowed. There’s also an emphasis on camaraderie and the enjoyment of being with long-time friends who have campaigned DNs together for many years. DN Sweden and DN Finland alternate managing the regatta. DN Sweden manages this year’s event.

Lake Siljan is a wicked big lake, 137 square acres, MILES! formed 377 million years ago by a meteor. We are staying in a hotel with excellent food in Rattvick, perched above the lake.

During the opening ceremony, DNers from eight countries raised a glass of non-alcoholic champagne in memory of friends sailing who now sail on eternal black ice.

This event marks the first time that American sailors joined the competition. Mike Bloom, US321 of Minnesota, and Hal Bowman, US1277 of North Carolina, who both participated in the 2023 DN Worlds, are here and enjoying the racing and friends.