(St Moritz, Switzerland)- From September 1st to 3rd, the leading sailing
clubs in Europe from sixteen countries will compete on the Lake of St.
Moritz to qualify for the SAILING Champions League final in Porto Cervo
on September 22nd to 24th at YC Costa Smeralda. The host will be the
famous Segel-Club St. Moritz.Some places on earth are simply unlike anywhere else. The mere mention of their name is strangely compelling and brings to mind all manner of stunning imagery. St. Moritz is one such place. And, that’s not just because this is where James Bond dashed down the ski slopes in “The Spy Who Loved Me.” For it was here, 1,856 metres above sea level, in the heart of the spectacular Upper Engadin lakes district, that the notion of winter holidays and present-day winter sports were born, and where Olympic Winter Games were held on two occasions. The first electric light, the first skiing school, and Switzerland’s first electric tram are among the pioneering feats in St. Moritz’s long list of achievements. And yet, St. Moritz originally rose to prominence due its mineral springs, which have been attracting visitors for more than 3,000 years, and lay the foundation for its spa tradition, and interest in water sports- like sailing!
Today, St. Moritz is the number one alpine holiday destination. The sun-kissed Alpine metropolis on the south-facing flank of the Alps boasts an airport, the Engadin Airport, and it is the terminus of both the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express– two names that stand for quintessential classic train travelling. When UNESCO bestowed the accolade of “World Heritage Site” on the Rhaetian Railway’s Albula and Bernina train lines in 2008, St. Moritz became the only destination in the world to unite both the Olympic Games and the UNESCO labels.
The
“Via Serlas” is to St. Moritz what the “Rodeo Drive” is to Los Angeles.
Just a bit more condensed. High-end art galleries round off the
exclusive shopping opportunities in the town center. The Segantini
Museum is internationally renown, and the St. Moritz Casino caters for
entertainment late into the night. Those inclined to be sporty will be
thrilled by the Olympic Bobsled Run St. Moritz–Celerina and the Cresta
Run, two legendary bobsled and skeleton institutions. Other legendary
Lake St. Moritz winter events include the “White Turf horse races” and
the “Snow Polo World Cup”. They have long become the extravagant social
highlights in St. Moritz’s remarkable calendar of events that so far
counted five Alpine World Ski Championships. And now, a new one- the
SAILING Champions League high in the Swiss Alps!The SAILING Champions League continues its success. Apart from St. Petersburg and Porto Cervo, this year St. Moritz is part of the qualifiers for the ultimate SAILING Champions League finale in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy on September 22nd to 24th.
The
best European sailing clubs will be demonstrating their skills at this
exceptional sailing rendezvous in St. Moritz. The lake is only 600
metres wide, so fast-turning maneuvers with excellent tactics and
perfect boat-handling are indispensable. As in many international
sailing league events, the teams will be sailing International J/70
class sailboats. Over three days, sailing will take place at an altitude
of 1,768 metres above sea level (about 5,700 ft or over 1.0 statue
mile). Welcome to Europe’s highest altitude regatta in St. Moritz-
simply “ON TOP OF THE WORLD!” For Americans, do note that Lake Dillon’s
regattas in Colorado are a touch higher- at 9,017 feet above sea-level
(2,802 metres), but not J/70s— yet!Enjoying the cool atmosphere on St. Moritz’s lake will be a fleet of twelve J/70s with two dozen teams from across Europe. This event is part of two qualifiers for the SAILING Champions League Finale that takes place rom September 22nd to 24th in Porto Cervo, Italy at the YC Costa Smeralda on the island of Sardinia. The other qualifier takes place from August 11th to 13th at St Petersburg YC in St Petersburg, Russia. For more SAILING CHAMPIONS League sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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