The partners and organisers of the Nord Stream Race decided to postpone the annual competition to 2021. Considering the current COVID 19 limitations, especially for cross-border events, absolute priority was given to ensuring the health of athletes, the regatta environment and society. Moreover, in this year the restrictions would hardly allow the regatta to meet the expected top level of sport and its aim to connect the Baltics through sport. The organisers are now focusing on planning the 2021 regatta.

The health of all athletes, guests, spectators, members and employees of participating and organising clubs remains top priority for the organisers of the Nord Stream Race and its partners Gazprom and Nord Stream AG. The decision of the organisers and partners to postpone the race to 2021 was nevertheless taken with a heavy heart. “Especially in these times, we wanted to set an example for sports and international cohesion. We were hopeful until the very end and therefore held on to the race for a long time. Under the current conditions, however, we have to live up to our responsibility for the health of the athletes, all those involved, and also for the society,” says Alexey Zaytsev, Managing Director of Nord Stream AG, partner of the Nord Stream Race.

Vladimir Liubomirov, Commodore of the organising St. Petersburg Yacht Club, adds to the decision: “The connecting moments of coming together in each participating country became a very special part of the regatta during the past years. We agreed that without this unique and special component of the Nord Stream Race and without the many inshore races in the Baltic stopover cities, the regatta could have hardly done justice to its overall objective and sporting level of this race.”

After having decided on the regatta for this year, the partners and organisers focus on the planning for the 9th edition of this international long-distance regatta in 2021.