The Norwegian summer of love?

[bamamick]

Ha! Made you look, didn't I? What I mean is that this is one summer in particular that I would love to be in Olso.

The Royal Norwegian is hosting the 8mR World's right now in Hanko, and later on this month will begin the Dragon Europeans at their Oslo station. I get worked up just thinking about it :).

Check out the beauty and the glory at www.kns.no (scroll down to the bottom of the page and look left).

Looks like the usual suspects so far in the 8's. I see that the new boat ('Ganymede', from the Clyde) still hasn't found her stride. Surprising, and Juliane Hempel can't be too thrilled to see them trailing so many of the older boats. Good to see the Canadians at it again. I think that Mr. Palm has yet to miss one of these things. Oh, yeah. Go the king! King Harald of the host country and club (heck, he IS the host), is winning the Sira Cup for the classic 8's in his own 8mR, 'Sira'. Cool, eh?

Mickey Lake

[martin schulz]

The Royal Norwegian is hosting the 8mR World's right now in Hanko, and later on this month will begin the Dragon Europeans at their Oslo station.

Ehm...

http://12mr.robbeberking.com/2007/index.php

[bamamick]

Very nice, Martin. Flensburg is a happenin' spot :).

The Baltic in the summer, eh? Oh, and I think that I read where they just had the J/80 World's in Germany, didn't they? Was it at Warnemunde Woche? I know that you guys have some huge events during the summer. I was a little surprised to see the Star attendence down at Kiel this year. Maybe a little post-Olympic qualifying burnout?

Tchuss! I'm off for home.

Mickey Lake

[martin schulz]

Currently the husband of Queen Margarethe is in Flensburg to have a look at the 12s.

http://www.fsc.de/typo3temp/pics/a3ff1d9dc1.jpg

He is, although french ;) a keen Dragon Sailor.

[bamamick]

Prince Henrik? Oh yeah, he is a very keen Dragon sailor. He does seem to have slowed down the last couple of years and has missed a few events. I guess being the royal consort or whatever it's called has it's demands?

Mickey Lake

[bamamick]

Looks like the Swiss won it in 'Aluette' again. Those guys are some 'metre boat sailin' fools' as we would say around here. Congratulations.

It also looks as if King Harald won the classics in his boat, and that must be a thrill. I don't know if he drives his boat or if a pro drives it, but it's got to be cool to finish 5th of 25 in a classic 8mR and to win the cup named for your own boat. Reminds me of a story (of course):

I remember reading Clark Thompson's account of crewing for Albert Fay in a 5.5 metre Gold Cup event in Europe. One of the races came down to the wire and it was between Mr.Fay (who was a bit of a legend in the 5.5 metre world, especially considering that he was an American) and one of the European sailing royals (might have been this same Harald of Norway). I believe the dude with the crown won the race, and Clark said that as they were going by one another he leaned over and yelled 'good race, King'. I smile when I remember him describing the reception he got over that. Apparently one does not shout at royalty, regardless of whether or not the intent was honorable. Probably a good reason why I don't need to sail in Europe because I would undoubtedly do the exact same thing.

I thought it was funny.

How'd the 12's wind up, Martin?

Mickey Lake

[Kasey]

English language link for bama: http://www.kns.no/?template=forside_UK

[lagspiller]

Both Harald and his father, Olav, are/were olympic sail champs. Harald is also WC champ several times. Very good sailors.
When Olav was still called Prince Olav he trained with their good family friend Johan Anker... the boat designer. Also a monster sailor.

[bamamick]

Yeah, I have heard of Johan Anker before :).

Mickey Lake

[lagspiller]

Jepp, I figured that name might be a good yardstick for your 'sail competancy' measurment of Harald...