Baltic Sprint Cup

Copyright: Nico Krauss


Clean Sweep for Rogers 46s at the Baltic Sprint Cup 2008

Travemünde- Germany, Karlskrona- Sweden, Klaipėda- Lithuania, Gdynia- Poland, Gdańsk-Poland and finally Rønne- Denmark, the five ‘Sprint’ legs which made up this year’s Baltic Sprint Cup (BSC). A true IRC offshore/ inshore event which attracted 61 boats, both cruisers and racers ranging from 30’ – 88’. For RYD this proved to be a particularly captivating race to follow as for the first time, three Rogers 46s were competing, including the recently launched Guts’n Glory from Kiel, Germany.


Following near perfect conditions for the last two weeks, the Baltic Sprint Cup came to a dramatic conclusion last weekend in Rønne, Denmark, with all three competing Rogers 46s taking a clean sweep of the top three overall prizes in the racing division.


Mike Castania skippering Danebury achieved 1st overall, 1st in class and a large number of leg trophies along the way, having finished only once out of the top two. For Mike and his crew, Leg 1 set the pace for his overall win.


David Aisher with Yeoman XXXII was delighted with his 2nd overall and 2nd in Class. For David and his crew it was later legs that stood out, having excelled in the inshores in Poland, leaving the other two Rogers 46s trailing, coupled with a strong finish on the last leg to Rønne.


Christopher Wuttke (who only recently took ownership of his new Rogers 46 Guts’n Glory) and his crew, were ecstatic with their 3rd overall particularly as this gave him two out of two consecutive podium wins in the two events he has competed in to date. One of the highlights for Christopher was a ‘tracked’ speed of 22.3 knots on the first leg from Travemünde to Karlskrona.


All three boats found great competition with the likes of Outsider (Elliot 52), Scho-Ka-Kola (RP56), Ambersail (VO60) and numerous production IRC yachts. All experienced the most fantastic range of testing conditions over the two week period, ranging from light and shifting breeze on the last leg where tactics played a big part, to full on thunder storms and heavy weather.


To sum up, we hand over to our three competing Rogers 46 owners/ skippers:


1 of 3


Mike Castania (Skipper of Danebury)

“The 2008 Baltic Sprint Cup unfolded in stormy conditions and ended with a drifter, challenging crews and equipment alike. With three Rogers 46s on the starting line, it made for excellent sailing. Our breakaway moment, I think, was on leg 1 when we were hit by a 32 knot squall; playing it conservatively we settled the boat down and peeled to an A4 in expectation and rode it out at, what seemed like, a constant 19.97 knots. Our Rogers 46 performed solidly with finger tip control at the helm, just fantastic.”


David Aisher (Owner of Yeoman XXXII)

“Racing the Baltic Sprint Cup was one of the best offshore events that I have taken part in. Not only was the fantastic weather playing its part in providing us with conditions ranging from 30knts plus with rain to virtually nothing but the venues were vibrant, exciting and new to me and all of my crew. Having the chance to take part in four good offshore events with a mini inshore regatta made the whole trip well worthwhile. The competition was excellent and the friendships between the crews were also what made the event very special. I hope to return and take part again soon. As far as the Rogers 46 goes, she behaved immaculately. In a class of her own.”




Christopher Wuttke (Owner of Guts’n Glory)

“Distance Racing against two sister ships guarantees some magic moments. We’ve passed Yeoman after 100 miles with a gap of only half a boat length during a jibing duel on our way from Klaipeda to Gdynia.


During the first leg we passed a thunderstorm and have sailed the boat at an average speed of 15 knots for an hour. We’ve never felt the boat to be out of control. This was one of the magic moments since we’ve received our Rogers 46.


Before the Baltic Sprint Cup, our top speed was around 17 knots, as we’ve trained and sailed in light to medium conditions. During the first leg, we’ve hit the 20 knots barrier with ease. In just 19 knots of breeze and with a boat speed of 15 knots we’ve taken a big wave and accelerated 17.5, 19.8, 20.5, 22.3 kts. It was unbelievable. Wish we would have had more wind during that time.


Before we have sailed with the Rogers 46 we’ve done almost anything to avoid thunderstorms – now having a real speed monster, we’ve been looking for them”


There is little doubt that this was the most fantastic event and the fact that the entry list was closed last February, coupled with the stories that circulated form the participants at the prize giving, next year in its 5th anniversary will be equally popular and exciting.