The first event of the Finnish J/70 Sailing League took place in Aland, Mariehamina over the first weekend of July. In the end, it was a very tight finish for the top two teams, Nylandska Jaktklubben and Åländska Segelsällskapet 1 Team. After 11 races just three points separated these teams with Nylandska YC just beating out Åländska SS by three points to take the initial lead in the four regatta series. “The race tracks are quick and short. So, if you are not alert, the small mistakes can easily get you bogged down and you quickly lose many places. I have the impression that at least half of the teams managed to get a top three finish. This shows that every team really has the chance to win,” said Nylandska YC team captain Georg “Tusse” Tallberg. Åländska SS was second, and they are already planning to improve their game for the next event. “It was not a good thing that NJK won the regatta in our home waters. But, we will return to the waters of Helsinki more and more, and we will do the same for them,” said Åländska skipper, Daniel Mattson. The next event in the Finnish J/70 series takes place at Helsinki’s Hernesaare from August 19-20. Then, the league culminates in the finals competition at Helsinki’s South Harbor on October 7-8. The Finnish J/70 Sailing League is sponsored by Nord Stream, Gazprom and SAP, as well as Evli, Freja, Henri Lloyd, Mercedes-Benz and Roltrade. For more Finnish J/70 Sailing League information, visit http://spv.fi/purjehdusliiga/.