Tapas, speeches, safety demonstration at the Europeans

written by Matias Collins  on  September 16  of  2026 and read by 449

NOR 149 helmed by Jens Pran sailing with Anne-Martha Ingeberg and Dag Pettersen at the Norwegian Chmpionship)
@ Dave Talloen

The last day of inspection, the non-stop rain and the strong winds softened for the afternoon giving room to an emotional inaugural act of the 2026 Soling European Championship being held at Grimstad, Norway. Thomas Gjestland the member of the director board of the Grimstad Seilforening gave his emotional speech and called for a one-minute silence in honor of King Harald V the sailor king that also was the honorary president of the Soling Class and the honorary member of the Word Sailing board. Following in the speech line was the mayor of Grimstad (Beata) and her words which represents the support the region has to the youth sailing since Grimstad is a community directly linked to its shores with fisherman, maritime trade and also coastline tourism.
Dave Baum the class president also had his words falling into his emotional side mentioning that Thomas had said it all.

After the formal procedure, the coast guard gave a demonstration on how to rescue a overboard man in the waters right in front the event club house, heavily applauded, this was a non-typical opening ceremony that followed then on all GSF achievements in sailing since the organization started in 1900.

But for sure it came the moment all were waiting, after the program for the week was announced and the morning debrief on the first racing day at 1000 was set, then the Tapas were announced and all trays served were attacked by the sailors.

The European Championship will start Wednesday at noon, with two races scheduled for the day with an international fleet from two continents and 8 countries. The presence of women on board puts the Reloaded trophy (created in Norway by Jan Kirkedam) in dispute, also with several young skippers, the younger at age 15 gives fresh air at the BSA Young helm trophy that also will be contested. The Dutch with their presence in the correct number also puts the famous Rien Segaar Trophy in dispute, currently in hands of Norway, and awarded to the third team of the best country at the event.

print               share via    Whatsapp     e-mail

The sailors listening to the speeches)
@ Dave Talloen

The Mayor Beata and Thomas Gjestland )
@ Dave Talloen

The youngest and the older helmsperson (15-77)
@ Dave Talloen