The start took place outside in the bay of Travemünde, while also the Travemünde Race Week had started. We could get hold on the fleet andafter pacing the first mark decided to a little higher to gain somespeed. Now we are near point Alpha Sailing in a Southwesterly wind of 15knots, so paced point Alpha we can go a little higher to speed up. Bordlife starts to settle, but sailing with this wind from behind need a lot of concentration, so there is not much sleep to catch.

 

The 56 starters of the Baltic Sprint Cup 2008, the 4th annual edition of the race, are now racing towards Karlskrona, Sweden. After a spectacular sail parade at 13.00 to thank Travemünde for theirwarm welcome and hospitality, the 56 starting yachts sailed out into thebay for the start of the race, some 5nm out. A short rainsquall greeted boats as they made their way to the start line. The yachts divided into 3 fleets, starting at 15-minute internals apart, in 12-15 southwesterly winds from 15.00. The leg began with a short 2-mile beat into the wind,then turned 2 marks and set their spinnakers for Karlskrona.