The yacht, owned by the Polish National Foundation (PFN), set a new race record in the Monohull class, clocking 3 days, 27 minutes and 37 seconds after a close battle on Sunday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, the race saw 27 yachts with a total of 213 sailors, representing 18 nationalities, compete on a 630-nautical-mile route that started and ended in Helsinki.
Marcin Zarzecki, CEO of the state-controlled PFN, said afterwards that he was “proud of yet another international success for I Love Poland.” He added that the PFN was supporting the development of young Polish regatta sailors.
Zarzecki also said: “I Love Poland is part of the very impressive formula of showcasing Poland through its successes, but also history, culture and national heritage.”
He added: “We are integrating sports activities with educational events and public diplomacy - this brings huge results.”
I Love Poland was presented with the Bobby Lowein Wheel for winning Monohull Line Honours.
Skipper Grzegorz Baranowski said: “We are really happy, we have done it. The plan was to fight to the end and it was exactly that. There were a few wind holes, but we crossed the line first and we are delighted.”
He added: “When I look at the names on this trophy, we are so proud that ours will go with them. I am even more proud of my young crew who are trying their best to go forward. Thank you to the organisers of this race, it has been a privilege to compete in the first Roschier Baltic Sea Race."
Before the race, the residents of Helsinki had the opportunity to visit the Polish yacht, as part of efforts to promote Poland, the PAP news agency reported.
Co-organised by the Polish embassy, the meeting was attended by members of Helsinki's Polish community, as well as Finns and the Ukrainian diaspora.
Present in large numbers were war refugees from Ukrainian cities such as Kyiv, Odessa and Mykolaiv, officials told reporters.
The PFN was established in 2016 by several Polish state-owned companies, including energy giant PKN Orlen, copper and silver producer KGHM and Bank PKO BP, the PAP news agency reported.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, yachtsandyachting,com