Black Swan Racing in Finland. Image copyright Josefine Hackman.
by Keith Swinton
Following the completion of a hard fought round robin series, we progressed through to the semi-final stage of the Baltic Tour event in Helsinki. Going into the final race of the round robin we needed to beat Phil Robertson, Waka Racing in a winner take all race. Despite trailing for most of the race we kept it tight and managed to take the honours on the final leg.
In the semi-final we raced Eugeniy Neugodnikov, Synergy Russian Sailing Team. The world number 8 was unbeaten in the round robin, he continued this form winning 3-0. We certainly had our chances in all races, wiping off a penalty turn in the first, to just be beaten on the line. Then leading the 3rd race but going to the wrong top mark, after being confused by the race committee signals.
Following our loss in the semi-final we looked to bounce back against another worthy competitor in world number 7 Bjorn Hansen, Hansen Global Team. We really sailed to our ability in all three races, eventually taking out the petite final 2-1.
"It was nice to make the semi-final stage after limited fortune in the first two Baltic events. By the end, we were sailing fast, starting well and making good decisions around the race track. We are happy to get this result." Keith Swinton Black Swan Racing.
Black Swan Racing would like to thank our supporters: South of Perth Yacht Club, Kerman Contracting, Westrac Pty Ltd - the Equipment Management Company, Abbotts PTY LTD Chartered Accountants, McNally Group PTY LTD and Musto Australia & Sweden.
Black Swan Racing
Baltic Match Tour
