Race Official's Team
We are proud to present highly experienced international regatta team for the ORC Europeans Klaipėda 2026. Here are the key positions, let’s get aquainted.
ECKART REINKE (GER)
Principal Race Officer
Eckart Reinke is the Principal Race Officer (PRO) for the ORC European Championship Klaipėda 2026. He has a substantial experience in leading ORC championships, as he was the Principal Race Officer during ORC Worlds 2021 in Tallinn, 2023 in Kiel, also ORC Europeans 2024 in Mariehamn. Besides having been PRO at the ORC title events, he is a major figure at the offshore races in Germany such as Kiel Week, MaiOR and others.
TORMI JOGI
Mark Layer
He is a national race official with 3 years PRO experiance for the largest estonian sailing competition Moonsund regatta. Participating as mark layer for several previous ORC Europeans and Worlds.
MIHKEL ŠESTERIKOV
Pin Race Official
He is a experienced Estonian race official. Served as a race course officer in Garmin Tallin ORC Worlds last year.
MADIS AUSMAN (EST)
Mark Layer
He has served as RO for several ORC title events in Estonia and Finland. He has also been a GoRR race officer since the beginning of it – for 10 years. M. Ausman has RO experience in Klaipėda, as he was a RO during the “Curonian Lagoon Regatta” in 2022.
ARVYDAS USNYS
Race Secretary
He has extensive experience as principal race secretary and race organisation manager for major sailing regatta's in Lithuania. Currently serves as General Secretary for Lithuanian Yachting Union
KRISTINE KANSKA
Race Secretary
She has continuous experience in race organization for different classes in Latvia. Part of Garmin Tallin ORC Worlds race officials team.
Is one of the founders, organizers and race officials of the Gulf of Riga Regatta & Latvian national ORC Championship. Serves sailing sports development in Latvia, manages Latvian Offshore Sailing Association and is a board member of Latvian MNA.
VILIJA BOGUNAITĖ
Race Secretary
Experienced race secretary of major offshore sailing regatta's in Lithuania, also responsible for seamles communication via Whatsapp during the event.
ARI PELTOMÄKI (FIN)
Scorer
Ari Peltomäki will be a scorer during the OC Europeans in Klaipėda. He is an experienced sailing officer with extensive international regatta expertise, including multiple ORC World and European Championships as scorer and organising committee member across Finland and Estonia. Organises and scores yearly the national Finnish and Estonian ORC Championships and numerous class events, managing over 10 regattas annually. Certified National Race Officer and board member of the Finnish Offshore Association. Skilled in advanced race management technologies, including MarkSetBot robotic buoys, with a proven track record of delivering accurate results and high-quality event organisation.
International
Jury
International Jury of ORC Europeans Klaipėda 2026 led by the highly respected international judge Timo Haß from Germany and composed of experienced officials from 7 nations will ensure that all disputes and protests are handled fairly, and that all sailing rules and regulations are applied consistently and professionally.
TIMO HASS (GER)
International Jury
Timo Haß has an expansive experience in ORC events - he has been a member of the international jury at the ORC Worlds and/or Europeans every year since 2014 with only one exception in 2025. He has been an International Judge since 2014 and an International Umpire since 2023. He acquired national licenses for judge, umpire and race officer in 2007 and has been a member of the national instructor team in Germany for judges and umpires since 2015. He has been a member of committees and Executive Boards in Bavarian Sailing Association, German Sailing Federation, European Sailing Federation and World Sailing since 2011. He is also an experienced sailor, sailing since 9 years old.
STAVROS KOURIS (GRE)
International Jury
Stavros Kouris was appointed as a World Sailing International Judge in 2020 and has served as a National Judge since 2010. He was a member of the Appeals Committee of the Hellenic Sailing Federation until 2022 and currently chairs the Appeals Committee for the Romanian Yachting Federation. He was also a member of the World Sailing Q&A Panel until 2024. His elite judging experience features major events with many Olympic Qualifiers, including the 2024 470 World Championship, the ILCA Senior Europeans and several iQFOiL World Championships.
JUHANI SOINI (FIN)
International Jury
Juhani Soini has been an International Judge since 2011. He has also been National Race Officer and National Judge since 2007, National Measurer since 2009, National Umpire, Member and Chair of Racing rules and Appeals Committee, Racing Rules and Race Management educator since 2011. He was a Vice President in Finnish Sailing and boating federation 2009 – 2011 and Member of board 2011 – 2013. He served as International Optimist Dinghy Association Vice President Europe 2009-2013 and International Zoom8 Class Association Member of Technical Committee 2009-2024. He also an experienced sailor in dinghy, one design keel and ORC classes.
ANDREJS BERZINS (LAT)
National Jury
Andrej Berzins is a several times offshore racing national champion in Latvia, world champion in Class Micro in 2004. He has been a Race Officer in Platu 25 World Championship in 2018 and a jury member in 470/420 East European Championship 2019, 470 East European Championship 2021, Platu 25 Baltic Championship 2021, 470 World Championship 2023 and 2024, RS FEVA European Championship 2024.
JAN STAGE (DEN)
International Jury
Jan Stage has been an international judge appointed by World Sailing since 1997 and has officiated in more than 150 international event, including the America’s Cup 2002-2003 and the Olympic Games 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016, as Jury member, as Chief Umpire (2012) and as Jury Chairman (2016). He has also officiated in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-2018, the ORC Worlds 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2023 and in the ORC Europeans 2019 and 2024, as well as Aegean 600 in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
LANCE BURGER (RSA)
International Jury
Lance Burger is an International Judge, an International Measurer, a National Umpire and a National Race Officer. He served on the international jury for the 2012 London Olympic Games and the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. He has also served on the international jury for various Sailing Worlds Cup Finals and WS Olympic Classes Championships. He has also served on the international jury for The Ocean Race (formerly the Volvo Ocean Race) and the Vendee Globe. He has served as a member of the technical committee for various ORC World and European Championships. He is also an experienced offshore sailor.
VILIUS TAMKVAITIS (LTU)
National Jury
Vilius Tamvaitis is an experienced Lithuanian sailing official and currently serves as Chairman of the Lithuanian Sailing Union Judges Committee. He is involved in the administration and officiating of sailing competitions in Lithuania, served as National Jury during Platu 25 Worlds in 2021 as well as Gulf of Riga Regatta 2026.
International Measurers
ZORAN GRUBISA
Chairman of Technical Comitee
Klaipėda ORC Europeans 2026 will be led by Zoran Grubiša, one of the world's most respected authorities in ORC racing and yacht measurement.
As the ORC Chief Measurer and Chairman of both the ORC Measurement Committee and the ORC Rating Officers Committee, Zoran plays a central role in ensuring the integrity and consistency of ORC racing worldwide. He also served as a World Sailing International Judge for two decades (1998–2018), bringing extensive experience from the highest levels of international sailing competition.
His expertise and leadership will help ensure that the championship is conducted to the highest international standards.
VYGANTAS STANKUS
Measurer
Vygantas Stankus is one of Lithuania's most active sailing officials, contributing extensively to both the international and national sailing communities. This year, he served as a member of the Technical Committee at the ORC World Championship in Tallinn and has also played an active role in the preparations for the ORC European Championship, which will take place in Klaipėda next year.
During the 2025 season, he served as Chief Race Officer at the Lithuanian ORC Championship, Chair of the Technical Committee at the Curonian Lagoon Regatta, and Chair of the Technical Committee as well as member of the Protest Committee at the Lithuanian Cup Regatta, the Lithuanian Children, Cadets and Youth Championship, and the Lithuanian Sailing Championship.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the sport, Vygantas Stankus was also awarded the Lithuanian Sailing Federation Distinguished Sailor Award this year.
MATTEO ZUPPINI
Measurer
Matteo Zuppini is an industrial designer with a Master's degree in Yacht Design from the Politecnico di Milano. He brings over 15 years of experience from Australia, where he worked for Bethwaite Design—renowned for designing the Olympic 49er skiff—and served as a Rating Officer for Australian Sailing.
Since relocating to Europe in 2019, Matteo has been an active member of the ORC Technical Committee, the ORC Events Group, and the ORC Communications Team. He leads ORC's global branding and sponsorship activities, manages ORC Support as the central hub for all ORC communications, and regularly travels to major international regattas as a member of the ORC technical team.
ANDRUS AARNA
Measurer
Andrus Aarna will serve as a member of the Technical Committee at Klaipėda ORC Europeans 2026. He has been an Estonian National Measurer since 2020 and the ORC Rating Officer for Estonia since 2022. Outside his official roles, Andrus is also an active sailor, bringing both technical expertise and practical racing experience to the championship.
RUDOLFS ROMANS
Measurer
Rūdolfs Romans has served as a member of the Technical Committee at several ORC European and World Championships. Since 2020, he has been part of the Technical Committee for the Gulf of Riga Regatta in Latvia, where he has overseen equipment inspections and ensured compliance with ORC regulations.
In 2025, Rūdolfs was appointed ORC Rating Officer for Latvia, taking on responsibility for the national administration and technical oversight of the ORC rating system. His extensive experience in technical measurement and international regattas makes him a valuable member of the Klaipėda ORC Europeans 2026 technical team.
PER BOYMO
Measurer
Per Bøymo has been actively involved in offshore sailing since the early 1980s. He has served as Norway's Chief Measurer and ORC Rating Officer since 1999 and has been a member of the Technical Committee at numerous ORC European and World Championships since 2007.
With decades of experience in both offshore racing and technical measurement, Per brings a wealth of expertise to the Klaipėda ORC Europeans 2026 technical team.
HEIKKI RÄISÄNEN
Measurer
Heikki "Hepo" Räisänen has been an active member of the Finnish Offshore Racing Association (Avomeripurjehtijat, AMP) since 2004 and served as its Chairman from 2017 to 2022. During his tenure, he led Finland's transition from the outdated LYS handicap system to the ORC-based FinRating, helping establish Finland as one of the leading ORC nations.
Since 2021, Hepo has served as a member of the Technical Committee at several ORC World and European Championships. He is also a qualified regional judge and is currently working towards national judge and race officer certifications.
From 2020 to 2024, Hepo was a member of the ORC Congress. In recognition of his long-standing contribution to Finnish offshore sailing, he was named an Honorary Member of AMP.
An accomplished sailor himself, Hepo has competed in nearly 500 races and has extensive cruising experience throughout the Baltic, North, and Mediterranean Seas.
SIMONA MINELGĖ
Measurer
Simona Minelgė has been actively involved in Lithuanian sailing regattas and events for many years. This season, she served as Assistant Principal Race Officer at the RS Feva European Championship in Nida and the Neringa FM Regatta.
At the Lithuanian Sailing Cup, the Lithuanian Sailing Championship, the Lithuanian Children and Cadets Championship, and the Curonian Lagoon Regatta, Simona served as a member of the Technical Committee. This was a new role for her this year, providing valuable experience and an opportunity to expand her technical expertise.
In addition, she served as a Start Boat Official at the Lithuanian Sailing Championship and the Curonian Lagoon Regatta, and as a member of the Protest Committee at the Lithuanian Children and Cadets Championship.
Simona says she greatly appreciates the opportunity to officiate at such a wide variety of regattas and championships, continuously developing her skills and experience as a sailing official.
ROKAS ARBUŠIS
Measurer
He is a Technical Inspector of the Lithuanian Sailing Union, with several years of experience carrying out yacht technical inspections both during annual surveys and at regattas. He has served as Technical Inspector at the Curonian Lagoon Regatta, one of the most important sailing events in Lithuania, and is also actively involved in national race management and event organisation. Rokas is one of the organisers and the Principal Race Officer of the Joninių Nakties Regata, and the Principal Race Officer of the Marcinkevičiaus Taurė regatta. He previously worked as a coach at the Žiemys sailing school and has officiated youth dinghy regattas, including Optimist and Laser classes. He has been sailing since childhood and is currently also a professional seafarer.
GVIDAS MISIUNAS
Measurer
He is a Technical Inspector of the Lithuanian Sailing Union and ORC measurer, with many years of experience. Serves as Technical Inspector at the Curonian Lagoon Regatta, one of the most important sailing events in Lithuania.
