The marine Turku will be the scene of the greatest nautical event in Finland this year, as the 50th anniversary of Nautor and of the traditional Swan yachts is celebrated with the Oras Swan 50th Anniversary Regatta taking place in Turku and its unique archipelago. The 100th Swan yacht having recently made entry in the regatta, it will be the event of all time, a regatta in which Swans can be seen in various sizes. Out of the little over 2000 Swans built by Nautor, only some dozens remained in Finland when new. Currently there are over one hundred Swans in our country. Aside from Finnish crews, entries have been made by Swans from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands, the Great Britain and Switzerland.
During the event the public can see the yachts in the area between Turku Guest Harbour and Forum Marinum. The first Swan ever, the Swan 36 Tarantella, and the Swan 54, Katima, the newest Swan constructed by Nautor, will also be participating in the regatta.
The main organizer of the event, Turku Yacht Club, celebrating its 110th anniversary, is pleased with the popularity of the celebratory regatta. ”In addition to this regatta arousing great interest internationally, the event is a tribute to Finnish handicraft an expertise. It also sets Finland, the financial area of Turku and our archipelago in the spotlight of international media, states the commodore of Turku Yacht Club, Samuli Salanterä
Plenty of activities also for the public
The races of the regatta will be sailed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. During the races the yachts can be seen on Airisto. The Parade of Sails sets of at 1 pm on Sunday. The best viewing spots for the public will be in Kuuva, in Ruissalo and on the shores of the national park and Turku Yacht Club.
In addition to the Swans, the regatta brings other activities by the River Aura. Music will be played on a stage rising in front of Suomen Joutsen on Friday and Saturday. The concerts are open to the public and free of charge. The film “the Weekend Sailor” will be shown in the auditorium Ruuma in Forum Marinum. The film is about Sayula II and her Mexican crew who, being amateurs, snatched the victory of the first Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, in spite of all the professional sailors in the race. The free shows of the film are at noon, at 2 pm and at 5 pm on Friday, the 29th, and Saturday, the 30th. The trailer of the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS9VCeDXAdg
The Oras Swan 50th Anniversary Regatta is organized by Turku Yacht Club, Oras Group and Nautor’s Swan in co-operation with the city of Turku, Port of Turku and Maritime Center Forum Marinum.
The following is announced to the press as a pre-invitation: The press conference concerning the Oras Swan 50th Anniversary Regatta will be held at 11 am on Thursday, the 28th of July at Forum Marinum. The invitation will be sent closer to the occasion.
For further information, please contact:
Samuli Salanterä, Commodore, Turku Yacht Club +358 44 505 5005
Katja Rytkönen, Excecutive Manager, Turku Yacht Club +358 44 376 2666