“Russian Bogatyrs” is one of the strongest sailing teams, which has gained fame and glory in Russia and around the world. Skipper and team’s owner Igor Rytov and his professional crew will take part in the third season of Tenzor International Cup – J/70 Open Winter Series 2025/2026, being the current champion of the series and one of the top-level team in the entry list.
Igor, your team has been competing mainly at international regattas abroad for the last two seasons. What new locations have you discovered, where were the most exciting and memorable races? Share your impressions!
Igor Rytov: Unfortunately, we have not been able to open brand new locations, we are still racing in Türkiye and in two or three years we have visited almost all the marinas where regattas are held. We are positively impressed of it.
“Russian Bogatyrs” became the first winners of Tenzor International Cup series in Russia in 2022, and in April 2025 you celebrated the victory in TIC Winter Series in Türkiye. You are a regular participant in this event. Why is it interesting for you?
Igor Rytov: Good organization, excellent fleet, strong competitors who show the progress every regatta and do not let you relax.
Is your team aiming to win the Winter TIC series again this winter? What expectations and tasks do you set?
Igor Rytov: We always have the same task, to perform well. By now, we have been succeeding.
You have a lot of competitive experience in sailing, many trophies and titles. Do sports excitement and the joy of winning bring you the same strong emotions as at the beginning of your career, or does something change over the years?
Igor Rytov: The emotions from the victories are the same as in the first years of sailing, but it became harder to cope with emotional pressure during the race days, due to age and demands on myself to stay in top positions.
Which yacht classes do you currently race the most and why choose this particular one?
Igor Rytov: This is mainly the J/70 boats due to the accessibility and simplicity of this class, and of course we indulge ourselves with flights on foiling sailboats of 69F class.
What is your top list of regattas where you haven't been yet, but you dream of participating?
Igor Rytov: There is no such list, I can say in general it is in any class, in any location with good winds.
What is the most important thing for you in sailing?
Igor Rytov: The competitive process and related emotions in a professional crew.
Igor, your team has been competing mainly at international regattas abroad for the last two seasons. What new locations have you discovered, where were the most exciting and memorable races? Share your impressions!
Igor Rytov: Unfortunately, we have not been able to open brand new locations, we are still racing in Türkiye and in two or three years we have visited almost all the marinas where regattas are held. We are positively impressed of it.
“Russian Bogatyrs” became the first winners of Tenzor International Cup series in Russia in 2022, and in April 2025 you celebrated the victory in TIC Winter Series in Türkiye. You are a regular participant in this event. Why is it interesting for you?
Igor Rytov: Good organization, excellent fleet, strong competitors who show the progress every regatta and do not let you relax.
Is your team aiming to win the Winter TIC series again this winter? What expectations and tasks do you set?
Igor Rytov: We always have the same task, to perform well. By now, we have been succeeding.
You have a lot of competitive experience in sailing, many trophies and titles. Do sports excitement and the joy of winning bring you the same strong emotions as at the beginning of your career, or does something change over the years?
Igor Rytov: The emotions from the victories are the same as in the first years of sailing, but it became harder to cope with emotional pressure during the race days, due to age and demands on myself to stay in top positions.
Which yacht classes do you currently race the most and why choose this particular one?
Igor Rytov: This is mainly the J/70 boats due to the accessibility and simplicity of this class, and of course we indulge ourselves with flights on foiling sailboats of 69F class.
What is your top list of regattas where you haven't been yet, but you dream of participating?
Igor Rytov: There is no such list, I can say in general it is in any class, in any location with good winds.
What is the most important thing for you in sailing?
Igor Rytov: The competitive process and related emotions in a professional crew.