The VIII Unity Line Regatta Świnoujście - Kołobrzeg

Among the yachts that have recently applied for the VIIIth Unity Line Regatta there is "Polonez" with the captain Bruno Salcewicz, representing a property developer from Warsaw: Włodarzewska S.A.
The yacht built particularly for transatlantic regatta, and later on for the cruise around the globe has a very strong construction and not big area of sails for its size and quite a weight. But "Polonez" years ago was built mostly with the purpose of providing safety for the solitary sailor, captain Baranowski. That is why the yacht presents all its advantages no sooner than in almost a gale. In the south of the Baltic Sea, on the route from Świnoujście to Kołobrzeg gales hardly ever happen in August, therefore the almost 40-years-old yacht has little chance to take the first place, but to be in the lead- it does.
The unit - as we have recently written - is closely associated with Szczecin. This is the place where "Polonez" was built in the Sea Yacht Shipyard, from here did it also set off for its greatest cruise with the captain Krzysztof Baranowski. Then (in 1972-73) a solitary cruise around the world in the region of "growling forties and fifties" and around the Horn Cape (that is southern latitudes with almost constant gales), and before that a solitary participation in the regatta across the Atlantic - they were the greatest achievements of the Polish sailing. Welcome made by thousands of people in Szczecin on Wały Chrobrego after all these stunts was a match for the importance of these events.
The second come back of the "Polonez" after a very long, lasting 20 years stay in a hangar, is on the other hand a great achievement of captain Bruno Salcewicz, a great sailor from Szczecin, who saved the yacht for Polish sailors with his involvement.
Next applications for the VIIIth Unity Line Regatta are coming - told us Piotr Stelmarczyk, a co-organiser of the event. The regatta will take place between the 15th and the 17th of August, and there have already applied 32 yachts, including 18 units with German sailors. Among those who have applied, there are nine solitary sailors. In the footsteps of the success of captain Krzysztof Baranowski and Kazimierz "Kuba Jaworski from Szczecin, there follow other participants of the regatta. Particularly interesting might be competition between Krzysztof Krygier from Pałac Młodzieży on the yacht "Bluefin" and Henryk Kałuża on the yacht "Harry" from AZS Yacht Club. Last year in the group of solitary sailors there won Krzysztof Krygier right before Henryk Kałuża. The winner started for the first time whereas Henryk Kałuża is a veteran in the group of solitary sailors of Świnoujście - Kołobrzeg regatta. In 2001 in the first regatta he came first and he got the Cup of Unity Line and Puls Biznesu, as the sailor dealing with business. In the second regatta he came third, and in the third (in 2003) - first again. In 2007 the rivalry of both sailors was stiff and hard for the weather conditions. Squall, quite strong wind and waves were a big challenge for solitary sailors. Krzysztof Krygier defeated Henryk Kałuża of a stone's throw.
This year, for the first time her start announces a solitary sailor-woman - Monika Matis. Right now she is preparing to start in the transatlantic regatta "Transat 650" in 2011. It is one the leading regatta events in the world. In Unity Line Regatta she will start on a 102-year-old "Nadir", and her start is possible thanks to the help of sailors from AZS Yacht Club in Szczecin. It has to be mentioned that "Nadir" is a true jewel of AZS YC, a yacht that most of the sailors of the club have sailed on (Krzysztof Baranowski preparing for taking over "Polonez", among others) and they are greatly fond of it.
This year the regatta is under auspices of honorary consul of Federal Republic of Germany in Szczecin, Bartłomiej Sochański. The consul will fund two cups for chosen sailors.
The organisers of the regatta - AZS Yacht Club in Szczecin await further applications. From the applications already made one may suppose there will start at least 66 yachts, just like in 2007.