At 23.00 sharp a starting shot was fired and the four boats slipped away. One archipelago yacht, one dragon, one coastal cruiser and one B-22. The boats were different and they needed a handicap system and took the "mother in law" rule. Lwl times width, divided by-laws mother's shoe size + sail area. The voyage took all night and at six o'clock in the morning in Skåpesund the current was the opposite direction, little wind, a spectacular sunrise and finish. "We have to do this again" was the common conclusion. And so is it. Each year, the third Saturday in August, this West Coast sailing festival occurs with the participation of boats of all sizes, from small keel boats to the largest Volvo Ocean Race racers, large and small multi-hulls. Tjörn Runt collects sailors from all over Sweden but also from the Scandinavian countries and Europe.
Tjörn Runt is now the largest inshore regatta in the world and August 20, 2011 the race will start for 48th time. The start is outside Stenungsön under the magnificent Tjörn bridge and the boats continue south in Hakefjorden, "round the corner"at Rönnäng and Klädesholmen, continue to Tjörns outside, past Skärhamn and through the picturesque and spectator-lined "eye of a needle " Kyrkesund. After that, the boats go north and into the Stigfjorden to the finish in Skåpesund. The race is 27 nautical miles long.
Tens of thousands of spectators tend to follow the regatta. The most popular spectator area is Klädesholmen, Kyrkesund, Ängevik and the rocks outside Björholmen on Tjörns northwest side. A few hundred spectator boats also usually following the race.
Tjörn Runt arranged by StSS, Stenungsund Yacht Club.
More info on the website www.stss.se