Photo: Oskar Kihlborg

The race machine Ran run rapidly in ÅF Offshore Race 2011. The 72 feet long racer was the first to cross finishing line and got line honour. The winds who used to be friendly to ÅF Offshore Race throughout the years, have betrayed us this time. With exception of the start four days ago, the winds have been very weak and changing.

The winds who used to be friends of the Gotland Runt races throughout the years, have betrayed us this year. With exception of the start three days ago, the winds have been very weak and changing.

The well known Round Gotland sailing race is probably one of the world´s largest offshore races. This year, the 74^th race since 1937, the race has changed it´s racing course and is launching Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, as starting point. Through the initiative of the new title sponsor, the tech consultancy ÅF, arranging yacht club KSSS (Royal Swedish Yacht Club) launched Stockholm as a test starting cite for three sailing classes this year. Some 30 boats lined up yesterday midday in shining, sunny weather and a slow 5-7 m breeze, before tens of thousands of onlooking spectators and foreign tourists. Sailors, arrangers and the public were all in agreement that through the launch of this race here, Stockholm has created another world class event. The ambition for next year is to have all classes, supposedly including more that 300 plus boats, starting from Stockholm.