HELSINKI 2010
From 5-9 July CA's Baltic Section met in Helsinki. The venue was the home harbour of Helsingfors Segelklubb (HSK) at Lauttassaari. HSK with whom CA formed an affiliation a few years ago welcomed our rally and gave the opportunity for many HSK members to meet with the Baltic Section members
12 CA boats took part in the rally with a total of 32 skippers and crew members.
Kalevi Westersund, Vice Commodore II of HSK, who is our main contact and who has done so much to promote friendship between our two organisations, helped to plan the rally and joined us for some of the events. Here is Kalevi sailing his boat Nitouche II.
During our time in Helsinki, members took part in a number of sightseeing activities, a Helsinki City Tour, a visit to the charming old city of Porvoo (aboard a traditional archipelago boat), visits to the fortress island of Suomenlinna and the open air museum at Seurasaari. Social evening events were the welcoming BBQ on the first evening when we were joined by many HSK members including their Commodore, Finnish HLRs Eric von Troil and Pertti Korttila as well as Kalevi Westersund and a dinner held in the HSK Restaurant on the last evening. A great deal of socialising took place as can be seen from the photo taken at the BBQ on the rocks!
Baltic Section Rallies have become famous for two other things - a heatwave and an obligatory thunderstorm! We experienced both at Helsinki 2010.
Thanks to Kalevi Westersund and the members of HSK who made us feel very much at home.
Graham and Fay Cattell