A sealing system for sealing between a stationary component against a rotating component, comprising: the said stationary component a sealing segment, retractable located in the stationary component so as to form a flow region between the stationary component and the sealing segment, wherein the flow region enables a fluid flow from an upstream end of the sealing segment to the back of the seal segment, the sealing segment comprising; an inner arcuate surface, with the said upstream end and a downstream end orthogonal to a curvature of the inner arcuate surface; and a plurality of sealing elements arranged in a plurality of sealing rows that are arranged on the inner arcuate surface between the upstream end and the downstream end and extend in a direction of the curvature of the inner arcuate surface, a passage, extending through the sealing segment and connecting to the flow region, the passage having a first opening in the inner arcuate surface between the plurality of rows of the sealing elements such that: at least one of the plurality of sealing rows is arranged between the first opening and the upstream end; and at least one of the plurality of sealing rows is arranged between the first opening and the downstream end, thereby the sealing system is forming a bypass flow path, which includes at least a portion of the flow region, the said bypass flow path is extending from the said upstream end of the sealing segment and through the passage, the said bypass flow path is configured to create, as a result of a flow of fluid through the said bypass flow path, a fluid cushion that creates a retracting force on the sealing segment towards the stationary component; and a biasing means located between the stationary component and the sealing segment, wherein the biasing means are arranged such that to open the seal to counter-act closing pressure and gravitational force exerted on the sealing segment during a start-up or low load stage of the rotary machine; and a contact point, located between the sealing segment and the stationary component, forming a seal to prevent the said flow of fluid to continue behind the sealing segment to the said downstream end. the said stationary component a sealing segment, retractable located in the stationary component so as to form a flow region between the stationary component and the sealing segment, wherein the flow region enables a fluid flow from an upstream end of the sealing segment to the back of the seal segment, the sealing segment comprising; an inner arcuate surface, with the said upstream end and a downstream end orthogonal to a curvature of the inner arcuate surface; and a plurality of sealing elements arranged in a plurality of sealing rows that are arranged on the inner arcuate surface between the upstream end and the downstream end and extend in a direction of the curvature of the inner arcuate surface, a passage, extending through the sealing segment and connecting to the flow region, the passage having a first opening in the inner arcuate surface between the plurality of rows of the sealing elements such that: at least one of the plurality of sealing rows is arranged between the first opening and the upstream end; and at least one of the plurality of sealing rows is arranged between the first opening and the downstream end, thereby the sealing system is forming a bypass flow path, which includes at least a portion of the flow region, the said bypass flow path is extending from the said upstream end of the sealing segment and through the passage, the said bypass flow path is configured to create, as a result of a flow of fluid through the said bypass flow path, a fluid cushion that creates a retracting force on the sealing segment towards the stationary component; and a biasing means located between the stationary component and the sealing segment, wherein the biasing means are arranged such that to open the seal to counter-act closing pressure and gravitational force exerted on the sealing segment during a start-up or low load stage of the rotary machine; and a contact point, located between the sealing segment and the stationary component, forming a seal to prevent the said flow of fluid to continue behind the sealing segment to the said downstream end. at least one of the plurality of sealing rows is arranged between the first opening and the upstream end; and at least one of the plurality of sealing rows is arranged between the first opening and the downstream end, thereby the sealing system is forming a bypass flow path, which includes at least a portion of the flow region, the said bypass flow path is extending from the said upstream end of the sealing segment and through the passage, the said bypass flow path is configured to create, as a result of a flow of fluid through the said bypass flow path, a fluid cushion that creates a retracting force on the sealing segment towards the stationary component; and a biasing means located between the stationary component and the sealing segment, wherein the biasing means are arranged such that to open the seal to counter-act closing pressure and gravitational force exerted on the sealing segment during a start-up or low load stage of the rotary machine; and a contact point, located between the sealing segment and the stationary component, forming a seal to prevent the said flow of fluid to continue behind the sealing segment to the said downstream end.