Getting inside Toyota Sopot Match Race 2006

This year Sopot was hosting second edition of ISAF Grade 1 event Toyota Sopot Match Race 2006, the biggest match racing event in Poland which is getting more and more popular among the sailors all around the world. Sopot is the turistic town located just over the Gdansk Bay with the longest pier in Europe.
Today we talk with the President of Sopot Match Racing Center, the main Organizer and also match race sailor at the same time Przemyslaw Tarnacki.

What are the beginnings of Sopot Match Race event? Whose idea was that?
After 4 seasons of sailing in match racing circuit and seeing how it works in some different places around the world I have decided to start preparation for a high grade event in Sopot.

Why did you chose Sopot for the event's venue?
Sopot has the natural advantage which is the 500m long molo pier – this is a perfect tribune to watch match racing!

How did you find Toyota Sopot Match Race 2006 both from Organizer and competitor side?
This year was much better than last 2 years. I could concentrate more on sailing than running the event but, of course, you will never have ‘clear head’ like when you sail any other event outside Sopot. The shore team worked perfect this year and this is, along with the fleet of new yachts and huge media campaign, the biggest improvement.

What are you plans for the future in terms of Sopot Match Racing Center?
We plan to run the 2007 Europeans and build 1 more Diamant 3000 yacht to have the 6 big yacht fleet. We have already started to build the budget and the media group for next year.

Do you find it difficult to organize match racing events in Poland?
Generally it is difficult to ‘sell’ yachting in this country. And it will never be a business here, like in Italy or France...But there is a great job to be done in terms of popularization of sailing and match racing itself so we look forward to do that.

What about your opponents during Toyota Sopot Match Race 2006? Who was the toughest one?
We had big problems with Marek Stanczyk, another Polish match race sailor. We lost twice with him in the double RR. That did not happen with any other team. Fortunately we finished 3rd and are very happy of that.

Your next event?
Geneva Match Race G3, Doyle Match G3 on Garda and maybe Brasil Match Cup G1 in December.

Thanks for talking and good luck next year!