Volvo Baltic Race 2004 - Schedule

Volvo Baltic Race for the SEB Trophy is a three-week sprint version of Volvo Ocean Race. During three weeks this summer the same boats that raced around the world will fight it out in Swedish, Danish and German waters. The Volvo Baltic Race, as the series has been dubbed, has been designed for maximum exposure and the 60s entered in it will either be taking part in several of Northern Europe's biggest events: among others Kiel Week, Germany and the Round Gotland Race. Initiator is Viamare, the Swedish yacht and hotel conglomerate.

Full throttle round the world conditions
Anyone thinking that this event for VO60s would just be a midsummer breeze around the Baltic learned very quickly. Even the old hands said that, at times, these were full throttle, round the world race conditions. The competition was hot, tense and down to the wire right to the end. That was the Volvo Baltic Race 2003 and now it's back again this summer for another Battle of the Baltic.

Sharp racing in a tough schedule
This year's event will take place from 19 June – 7 July. A mixture of sharp inshore racing tactical skills and offshore endurance is what will be needed to win this unique series, which combines coastal races, windward/leeward races and three long offshore races. Over 1300 nautical miles in 19 days with barely 30 hours between finishes and restarts in which to recover is a tough schedule. And the Baltic can be cold, and as the event saw last year, very windy. The event will be run in cooperation with The Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club (GKSS), The Kieler Yacht Club (KYC), and The Royal Swedish Yacht Club (KSSS) and begins in Gothenburg on June 19 with a coastal race.

2003: Parade of sails in to Marstrand

Racing schedule: