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Pimp my Swan
After over 20 years the skipper Harald Baum from Hamburg and his 10 crewmembers won the prestigious Swan European Regatta (July 11th- July 17th 2009) a second time. The special thing about it: His 48 foot long “Elan”, which was built in 1973, was one of the oldest vessels in the starting field. Harald Baum’s son Daniel, who was bowman at the Swan European cup, tells the secret about their victory.
Every other year, the best Swan yachts and crews of the continent come together for a power struggle in Cowes on the Isle of Wight. This event is not only a social highlight of the Swan community, but also and mostly a sailing event on the highest sportive level. The well-established Club Royal Yacht Squadron therefore arranges the races and the events in a professional way.
„Sailing here is always a highlight“, says Daniel Baum. “That’s why we hardly missed any of the Swan European Championships since the first event 1985.” Anyhow, the 37-year-old didn’t expect to win the title this year. “We prepared very well, arrived here in time to check the equipment again and even sailed a few training rounds. But the area here in the Solent, with over 120 regatta-buoys to choose from, is very challenging, it would be impudent to expect the win from the outset.”
Having Harald Baum as a very experienced helmsman, James Gair, who is very familiar with the area and very tactical, as well as an ambitious well-rehearsed crew, the premises were definitely good. “Especially in the tide waters of the Solent it is very important to have a “Local” on board, who knows the specifics about the area.” This does not only mean current and wind circumstances but also the schedules of the Red Funnel ferries, which regularly shuttle between the Isle of Wight and Southampton. “Who doesn’t pay attention gets caught in the Lee of one of the slow trip-ferries or accidentally takes on one of the high-speed catamarans,” says Baum. But having Gair as a part of their crew they did not have to think about this. “The experience and the motivation talent of James were decisive for the excellent result at this year’s Swan European Regatta”, the bowman is convinced.
Another factor contributing the success was with no doubt the “Elan”, which still won through all the modern racers even though it is already 36 years old. “It is not that exceptional to us. This year we finished third at the Nordseewoche around-Helgoland-regatta and last year we actually won the Pantaenius-around-Skagen regatta.” Without a good outline and a durable structure this would not be possible. But only this would not be enough. “Of course the vessel has to be well kept and “pimped up” every once in a while to stay competitive”, Daniel Baum admits. The pole of the “Elan” is only 15 years old a carbon forestay has been upgraded and the canvas and running rigging has to be exchanged frequently. “With up to 35 knots of wind, which have been measured at the European regatta, we had barely any damage to report. Furthermore our storm-spinnaker was an advantage for us, while other vessels had big difficulties with the conditions.” The effort was worth it. With an advance of seven points in class B, in which 14 vessels from 40 up to 55 feet started, Baum and his crew won the title.
For Harald Baum, head of the well-known yacht insurance company Pantaenius, it was not the first time. Already 1987 the passionate sailor won the treasured title for the first time with the first 44 foot long “Elan”. 20 years ago Daniel Baum was part of the crew, too. Still it was not an easy race to win all these years later. On the contrary. “The ambitions were extremely high. Nobody gave someone else a run for their money. There were too many professional sailors in the starting field for the race to be frugal. Of course my father was very proud also because he received the Highland Fling Price for the best Owner/Driver in addition.” This price was awarded to the best helmsman who is also the Owner of his vessel out of all the 42 starters in all classes.
Despite all the ambitions, the general program was not missed out: “Owner’s Dinner, Crew Party with life-music and karaoke or the final ceremony! It is a very familiar atmosphere in the Swan Community altogether”, Daniel Baum reports. “Not least because of that we want to take part in this regatta again in 2011 for sure, to defend our title, because we don’t want to wait another 22 years to win the next Swan European regatta.”
More information and the exact results for the races can be found at www.rys.org.uk.
Die winning crew of the „Elan“
Harald Baum (skipper/owner/helmsman)
James Gair (Tactics)
Thomas Wibberenz (guy)
Kai Harder (Spinnaker)
Ferdinand Hammerle (Genoa)
Leanna Hill (main sail)
Nils Glockow (pole)
Anna Baum (toppnant)
Daniel Baum (foreback 1)
Nick Harger (foreback 2)
www.pantaenius.com
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