Silverrudder: New record - sold out in 35 minutes, last-minute chance in August
Tatjana Pokorny
· 11.03.2024
The appeal of the Silverrudder is unbroken. Now in its 13th edition, the annual single-handed race around Funen, starting and finishing in Svendborg, continues to fascinate and mobilise skippers with a desire for a special challenge and adventurous regatta sailing. The 450 starting places were sold out just 35 minutes after the registration portal opened.
The Silverrudder success story
This year, the Silverrudder starts on 20 September 2024 and the shortest distance of the island rally is 134 nautical miles. The race has very simple rules and there are no mandatory navigation marks from start to finish. The Silverrudder is organised by the dedicated team of the organising Svendborg Amatør Sejlklub in seven boat categories. There is a best time from previous years to beat in each of the categories.
Founded in 2012, the premiere took place with 15 daring starters. Just one year later in 2013, 90 participants had turned up at the starting line, including sailors from Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia and Denmark. By then, the Silverrudder - Challenge of the Sea was already the largest international single-handed regatta in the world. But just one year later, the field doubled with more than 200 participants.
The fascination of solo racing in Danish waters has also led to new records being set for entries. In 2019, the regatta was sold out within 40 minutes with 450 boats for an entry fee of 215 euros. The Silverrudder is considered the mother of the increasingly popular single-handed challenges and is also very popular with German soloists. The dazzling Silverrudder fleet is regularly recruited from ambitious experts, experienced regatta sailors and courageous newcomers.
The August opportunity for successors
Hardly anywhere else is the same as here: Taking part is everything! At hardly any other regatta does the "finisher shirt" enjoy such a high status as at the Silverrudder, which is implemented so lovingly, amicably and skilfully by its organisers. The last time 430 boats were registered in 2023, 303 crossed the finish line. With a rate of 70 per cent, this was one of the most successful sailing editions since the premiere in 2012. Only in the two initial years, with 15 and 90 starters, did 80 per cent of the participants successfully return to Svendborg.
Anyone who wasn't lucky when tickets were first announced in March can hope: On 25 August, tickets that have been returned by then will be available from 6 pm. "Normally there are around ten to 15 starting places," says Silverrudder helmsman Philipp Cossen.
The current Silverrudder records at a glance
- Keelboat mini: Jørgen Mohr Ernst, Melges 24, "Bølge Baronesses", 19:27:38 (2021) Previous record: Morten Bogacki, Pogo2, "Mojo", 23:06:18 (2015)
- Keelboat small: Oliver Schmidt-Rybandt, Dehler 30 OD, "PowerPlay", 18:32:58 (2021) Previous record: Franz Schollmayer, Esse 850, "Firlefranz", 20:23:14 (2015)
- Keelboat medium: Jan B. Hansen, Beneteau Figaro 2, "The Beast", 18:31:47 (2021) Previous record: Wolfram Heibeck , Open 32, "Black Maggy", 19:18:03 (2015)
- Keelboat large: Wolfram Heibeck, Open 40, "Black Maggy", 17:36:50 (2021) Previous record: Andreas Rohde, JPK 38, "Ratzfatz3", 19:02:16 (2015)
- Keelboat extra large: Jan Møller, Germán Frers 49 one off, "Dream On", 16:57:10 (2021) Previous record: Pål Stiansen, Xp-44, "Born to Run", 19:09:59 (2018)
- Multihull small: Peter Lang, Diam 24 Trimaran, "Diam 24", 14:43:17 (2021) Previous record: Anders Bastiansen, Dragonfly 28, 16:04:58 (2015)
- Multihull large: Jan Andersen, Marlin 33, "Black Marlin", 14:08:53 (2021) Previous record: Jan Andersen , "Black Marlin", 15:01:05 (2019)
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Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
