OREANDA-NEWS. October 29, 2012. Taking part in the race were five teams – from Russia, the European Union, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

According to the results of the Race, the Russian team led by Vladimir Lyubomirov, Commodore of the Saint Petersburg Yacht Club on the Bronenosets yacht won the first prize. The team is sponsored by Gazprom Group.

The Race, which takes place on October 18–27, is supported by Gazprom Group. The Race route runs along the Nord Stream gas pipeline route. The teams left Saint Petersburg for Helsinki where match racing was held. Then, there was a technical stop-over on the island of Gotland (Sweden), followed by the final move to Greifswald (Germany). Celebrations and prize distribution are scheduled for October 27.

It is planned that the Nord Stream Race should become an annual event. The next Race is to take place in September 2013.

The offshore Baltic Nord Stream Race is a new annual race for yachts of the Swan 60 Class. Gazprom Group is the main sponsor of the competition. The aim of the race is to create a unique sailing event on the Baltic to unite the neighboring states in their efforts to promote yachting in the region, as well as enhance integration of the Baltic States.

The length of the route is about 750 nautical miles (approximately 1,400 kilometers) and it runs along the Nord Stream gas pipeline route, crossing the waters of Russia, Finland, Sweden and Germany. In the future, the Nord Stream Race will be open for all Swan 60 Class yachts. The prize fund of the Race amounts to EUR 100,000. The winner also gets the challenge Trophy, designed by Asprey. For more details see www.nord-stream-race.com

During the 2012 season, the Bronenosets yacht took part in six international races including Giraglia Rolex Cup, Rolex Swan Cup and Copa del Rey.

Nord Stream is a fundamentally new route for Russian gas export to Europe. Running across the Baltic Sea waters from the Portovaya Bay (near Vyborg) to the German coast (near Greifswald), the gas pipeline stretches 1,224 kilometers.

The Nord Stream project is implemented by Nord Stream joint venture . The stakes in the Nord Stream company are currently distributed as follows: Gazprom holds
51 per cent, Wintershall Holding and E.ON Ruhrgas – 15.5 per cent each, Gasunie and GDF Suez – 9 per cent each.

Commercial gas supplies via Nord Stream's first string started on November 8, 2011.

The second line of the Nord Stream gas pipeline was commissioned on October 8. The design capacity of both lines totals 55 billion cubic meter of gas per annum.