The sailing legend, who shared his lessons with Olympic sailor Sinem Kurtbay, appreciates Finns’ sense of camaraderie and sense of humor.
Named the king of the southern ice sea in sailing circles Stu Bannatyne is preparing for the Baltic Sea Race, a 635-nautical-mile sailing competition in the hot Katajanokka harbor of Helsinki.
The four-time winner of the Ocean Race, which sails around the world, is aiming for a three-day battle for the domination of the Baltic Sea, starting from Helsinki on Saturday.
– We have practiced here for a few days in light winds and checked safety equipment and food needs. Since it is an open sea sailing competition, special emphasis is placed on safety equipment, Bannatyne tells STT.
In Finland, Bannatyne, 53, is also known as the head coach of the Tulikettu boat club. The sailing legend, who has had a long career, has good memories of Finnish sailors over the years.
– Finnish sailors have good camaraderie and a sense of humor. Everyone gets along on the boat, says Bannatyne.
One of the Finns who collaborated with Bannatyne is an Olympic sailor competing in Paris Sinem Kurtbay. Kurtbay, who competes in the Nacra 17 class at the Olympic Games, is moving with his partner in the fall Axeli Keskinen with Tuliketu’s lineup.
– I see his (Kurtbay’s) advantage is the natural feel for hard level sailing. I wish him all the best for the Olympics, Bannatyne describes.
Back to Helsinki via Sweden and Estonia
Bannatyne, who hails from New Zealand, will participate in the Baltic Sea Race in the IRC Zero class on a Tschüss 2 boat. He sails in the same class as Tulikettu, whom he coaches and whose skipper he serves Arto Linnervuo.
Bannatyne does not sail in the crew of the Finnish team, because Tuliketu’s goal is to develop into a Finnish professional team.
In addition to Bannatyne, the competition is also targeted by a Dutchman Bouwe Bekkingwho is considered perhaps the most respected open sea skipper of crew boats at the moment.
Bannatyne goes to the Baltic Sea Race enthusiastically. The sailing veteran wants to act as a pioneer of the sport at this point in his career.
– Actually, in all my current projects the focus is on technology and how we develop boating methods, Bannatyne says.
The biggest competitions of the Royal Ocean Racing Club series are the world’s most prestigious open sea races. The Baltic Sea Race, which departs from Helsinki, aims at the top of the series. The competition is in the program of the RORC series every two years.
At the start of the race, there are more than 40 sailing boats moving parallel to each other, coloring Helsinki’s seascape on the shores of Suomenlinna.
– This race is classic in the sense that it ends in the same place as it starts, Bannatyne describes.
The route of the competition runs from Helsinki to Stockholm, from where it continues to Gotland. The race continues to Saaremaa in Estonia and finally passing Hiidenmaa back to Helsinki.
On Friday, reported that Russia’s military exercise in the Baltic Sea could mess up the course of the competition.
Safety instructions for Harkimo
Bannatyne also shares his thoughts on making headlines in sailing Joel from Harkimo. In the fall of 2026, Harkimo will set off alone for a year-long round-the-world sailing trip to the Golden Globe Race. The race has no stopovers in ports.
– It’s always difficult to sail around the world, anyone can take it up as a challenge, says Bannatyne.
Bannatyne has traveling greetings for Harkimo.
– Take care of your safety equipment and enjoy the trip, Bannatyne advises Harkimo.