All teams are winners…

…but some are more winners than others.

Open class:
1st – Jacob Lundqvist / Oscar Lundqvist (SWE)
2nd: Fredrik Karlsson / Niklas Nordblom (SWE)
3rd – Ad Noordzij / Arthur Moerman (NED)
Mixed:
1st Jan Hedmann Jensen / Penny Wyon (DEN) , not in picture

 

Day 1

16 teams with 6 nationalities finally made it to start to the 24th raid in the Stockholm Archipelago on Thursday the 22nd of August. The forecast looked good with winds from 15-25 knots from south west, but a bit gusty. 

The downwind start in Saltsjöbaden in a gentle breeze gave raid rookies time to get acquainted with their navigation and safety equipment. But pretty quickly the wind picked up and offered champagne downwind reaching on starboard tack in 15-20 knots to the outer archipelago in less than 2 hours. 

Lunch break day 1 at Murtö Bunsö

Second leg started with a roaring reach with 15-20 knots of wind from the beam . After the 10 minute reach the teams could set the kites and start gybing the 20 Nm downwind to the finish in Sandhamn in increasing winds.  The sauna was hot and the beer cold and after a good 2 meal course the sailors went to bed fairly early, since start the next day was announced to 8 o’clock.

The performance of the teams of day 1 would repeat itself over the coming days. The top 5-7 teams were all chasing each other and often finished within 10 minutes after the winner after 3 hours of sailing. Typically the Lundqvist brothers (SWE111) made a good start and took the lead. Other teams in the top where Karlsson(Nordblom (SWE007), Busck/Rosengren (SWE64), the Wunderles (GER 33), Noordziij/MOerman (NED 15), young team Åberg/Norrby (SWE 363) and Linder/Brunnberg (SWE 1) when then managed to not break anything. 

In the second group both mixed teams with Hedman/Wyon (DEN 11) and father and daughter Schütz (GER 340) as well as Bergendahl/Johnzon (SWE 4) and Joyriders Bennet/Caufield (IRL 789) and some others followed, all performing very solid and usually within sight of the front group.

A third group in the back with some newer F18 sailors who sometimes struggled in the very windy conditions this year. In the end 12 out of the 16 teams crossed the finish line on the final leg. 4 teams could not complete that leg either because of material failure or because they chose not to start or had to abandoned race some previous day.

Day 2

The gennaker start was north of Sandhamn/Lökholmen and the first leg took the fleet out to pretty remote islands. The first passage was through the iconic archipelago of Björkskär, via some check points to Rödlöga, one of few places in the outer archipelago with a small supermarket and Cafe Truten, that opened up for the raid sailors to get a coffee and a cinemon bun.  

Café Truten

Due to a pretty nasty forecast with gusts over 30 knots of wind the 4th leg had to be cancelled. Instead a “jib race” to get all teams to base camp Lidö some 12 Nm north. The F18 can reach 10 knots on just the 4 m2 jib with an average speed of 6 knots in these conditions, but they can’t go upwind, which required some planning not to end up in the wrong place.

Again the sailors enjoyed a great dinner before going to sleep in “lyxury” hotel rooms with clean sheets and made beds. 

Day 3

During the night some pretty heavy winds passed, but in the morning a steady breeze of 20-25 knots was on. Breakfast was served at 8 and at 10.30 the wind was deemed stable enough to start the 4th leg. At this point 3 teams had abandoned race for different reasons and 14 boats came to start.

The course was drawn closer to main land to avoid too much open water with too heavy winds and waves. But instead it was pretty gusty and still on the edge for the F18s. If day 1 and 2 was all about gennaker runs, day 3 was mainly upwind, but with some down wind between Check points to make the course more interesting.

It was a pretty tired bunch that seeked shelter at Möja Björkvik and some teams had misunderstood the instruction and accidentally beached their F18s too close to a house on private property. 

The final leg of the day was a loop deeper into the middle archipelago, through the “paradise bay” of Finnhamn before reaching base camp Nässlingen. The Sauna there is great and cold beer was supplied by the local bakery/brewery at Ingmarsö that also served an excellent dinner and breakfast.

Day 4

Again a windy forecast with 20-30 kots of wind from the SW, meaning mainly upwind sailing to get back to the finish in Saltsjöbaden. The start was downwind however with a 20 minutes gennaker run before turning south and start a long leg with many tacks in increasing winds. After a short lunch break at a beach at Stavsnäs the final race was on. One hour upwind followed by a one hour reach in speeds sometimes exceeding 20 knots. One boat dismasted and had to be towed. And one of the safety boats had an engine stop and also had to be towed by a third safety boat. Fortunately the Race Committee boat could continue to the finish just in time to lay the finish line.

It was a tired, but very happy crowd that gathered for the price ceremony while waiting for the luggage and spare parts to get back to port. And even if only a few teams got the medals all teams, who fought and battled to get to the finish line of each leg, felt like winners. 

 

For results, check points list and maps see here.

Check out the pictures and films here on the home page and more on our social media channels:

www.facebook.com/stockholmarchipelagoraid

Stockholm Archipelago Raid (@stockholmarchipelagoraid) • Foton och videor på Instagram

 

We’re off to a flying start

There was excitement in the air as 17 teams (Teams 2024 | Stockholm Archipelago Raid) gathered for registration, safety inspection and team breifing on Wednesday evening. All boats and crews are now ready to go and the start is 10 o’clock tomorrow morning 22nd of August.

Leg 1 

  • 1 Start (Saltsjöbaden)
  • 39 Leave to starboard
  • 38 Leave to port
  • 48 Leave to starboard
  • 34 Finish close to beach in Mörtö Bunsö

Leg 2

  • 34 Start close to beach
  • 50 Leave to port
  • 49 Leave to port
  • 32 Leave to starboard
  • 2 Finish just outside CP

Link to the Check Points

The forecast looks great with winds from south west all 4 days, between 15 and 25 knots most of the time.  The first 2 legs will take the fleet through the inner, middle archipelagos and round some island pretty far out before turning north to the base camp at Sandhamn/Lökholmen.
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Last call to join the adventure 2024

4 weeks from start 17 teams with participants from 6 nations have entered the competition so far and are preparing for the adventure. They are in for a sailing adventure in the stunning archipelago just outside of the capital of Sweden with lots of sailing each day as well as good food, cold drinks and nice company in the evenings.  

Country

F18 Model

Skipper Name

Crew Name

Denmark

Goodall Akurra

Jan Hedmann Jensen

Penelope Wyon

Germany

Cirrus R2

Christian Schütz

Katharina Schütz

Germany

Nacra Evolution

Manuel Wunderle

Fabian Wunderle

Ireland/UK

Goodall C2

Joe Bennett

Declan Caulfield

Netherlands

Goodall Akurra

Ad Noordzij

Arthur Moerman

Netherlands

Cirrus R

Kees Wiersema

Rob Schutte

Sweden

Goodall C2

Anders Mårten

Mikael Sommansson Richter

Sweden

Goodall C2

Edvin Åberg

Theodor Norrby

Sweden

Goodall C2

Erik Blomberg

Rikard Blomberg

Sweden

Scorpion

Fredrik Karlsson

Niklas Nordblom

Sweden

Goodall Akurra

Jacob Lundqvist

Oscar Lundqvist

Sweden

Scorpion

Jakob Palmblad

Oscar Wetterling

Sweden

Goodall C2

Lars Linder

Erik Brunnberg

Sweden

Nacra Evolution

Magnus Bergendahl

Jonas Jonzon

Sweden

Scorpion

Peter Busck

Rasmus Rosengren

Sweden

Goodall C2

Thomas Blomborn

Janne Jakkula

Sweden

Hobie Wildcat

Wouter Faber

Clemens Fleige

It is still possible to join the raid as some places are available. A C2s is also available for hire, a rare opportunity for teams who want to join without bringing their own boat to Sweden. Contact the race organisation for enquiries.

18 teams from 6 countries signed up already

With two and a half months until start 18 teams have already signed up. They come from Sweden,  France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Finland. Still plenty of time to sign up for the big adventure, but the early bird entry fee offering ends by the end of this week (15th of June).

It can already be said that the level of competition is going to be high. The top three teams from 2024 (all Swedes) are all back and they will face fierce competition this year.  For example from

  • Germany the Wunderle brothers Manuel and Fabian with multiple german national F18 titles. under their belt.
  • France brothers Emeric and Félix Dary winners of the eurocat and 11th at the Worlds in 2023 and french champions 2022.
  • The Netherlands Ad Noordzij and Arthur Moerman winners of the Martinique Cataraid earlier this year.

In the Mixed class 3  raid experienced teams have signed up to date.

  • The former raid champions Jan Jensen and Penny Wyon (DEN)
  • Christian Schütz, who sailed the raid 5 times before and completed the Worrel 1000 earlier this spring, now sailing with his daughter Katharina. 
  • Thomas and Pippi Windrike (SWE), former winners of the mixed class.

The youth team Edwin Åberg and Theodor Norrby (SWE) are back, now with a top notch C2. They have an amazing learning curve and are totally fearless. They can definatly challenge the best Swedish and international teams about a place on the podium if the winds play in their favour.

As mentioned in a previous post we are also happy to welcome back the legendary sailors Anders Lewander, a raid veteran and winner of the Archipelago Raid 2003, again sailing with Hanse Thorslund. Together they sailed the raid many times and now look forward to the adventure and to hang loose in the wire once again.

The world record holder of sailing a boat backwards (from Åland to Sweden!) Mikael Sommansson Richter, is back and said he promise to sail his F18 with the bows in the front and rudders in the back. It might not be enough for the podium, but should improve his chances of getting around the course. 

There is still place for more teams to join the big adventure. Sign up this week to enjoy the best price. 

Signed up to date (2024-06-10):

Sail number Skipper Name Nationality Crew Name Crew nationality
DEN 11 Jan Hedmann Jensen Denmark Penelope Wyon Denmark
FRA 7 Emeric Dary France Félix Dary France
GER 33 Manuel Wunderle Germany Fabian Wunderle Germany
GER 340 Christian Schütz Germany Katharina Schütz Germany
NED 3 Kees Wiersema Netherlands Rob Schutte Netherlands
NED 15 Ad Noordzij Netherlands Arthur Moerman Netherlands
SWE 380 Wouter Faber Netherlands Clemens Fleige Germany
SWE 1 Lars Linder Sweden Erik Brunnberg Sweden
SWE111 Jacob Lundqvist Sweden Oscar Lundqvist Sweden
SWE789 Thomas Windrike Sweden Pippi Windrike Sweden
SWE 363 Edvin Åberg Sweden Theodor Norrby Sweden
SWE 78 Anders Mårten Sweden Mikael Sommansson Richter Sweden
SWE 007 Fredrik Karlsson Sweden Niklas Nordblom Sweden
SWE 4 Magnus Bergendahl Sweden Jonas Jonzon Sweden
SWE 888 thomas Blomborn Sweden Janne Jaakkola Finland
SWE 64 Peter Busck Sweden TBD  
SWE130 Jakob Palmblad Sweden Oscar Wetterling Sweden
SWE 59 Anders Lewander Sweden Hanse Thorslund Sweden

 

Return of the jedis

One of the teams who has signed up for 2024 is the winner of  one of the first editions of the original Archipelago Raid back in 2003. Back then Atlant Ocean Racing had just created the concept and ran the extreme raid to Åland and back for the third time. Anders Lewander, one of the most well known sailors in Sweden, participated 6 times before 2010 which probably makes him the person who participated more than anyone else in the original version. The last three times he sailed with Hanse Thorslund, another well known Swedish sailor.

It is with great pleasure we welcome this legendary team back to the raid. I asked them about their previous experience and why they are coming back, 15 years after the last time.

1) How many times did you participate in the old ”Archipelago Raid” and when was the last time?
Anders: I did the raid 6 times, in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2009
Hanse: I participated  3 times, in 2005, 2006 and 2009

2) what is the strongest memory you have from that?
Hanse: Shortcut sailing into Kökar in Finland on very shallow and rocky waters. 😅
Anders; The final leg 2003 from Ornö to Gustavsberg with a hard hard workout before winning the 2003 edition with Calle Hennix. And YES Hanse, all the crazy Åland experiences!

3) What do look forward to in your participation this year?
Hanse; The raid atmosphere, hanging on the wire and fun racing in our beutiful Stockholm archipelago.
Anders; Living the dream – a deep bowing to the unique Archipelago experience- the enormous friendship and the “offroad” play tool, the F18 going wild!


Well, what can we say more than a huge welcome back. May the force be with you!

/Lars Linder

Photo cred from the 2006 edition to Thierry Martinez

 

 

12 teams signed-up in the first 6 days

6 days after opening the event in 2024 for sign-up 12 teams from 3 countries had signed-up already. As usual there is a limit of 30 team for logistical and safety reasons. Don’t wait to long to secure your place!

Ida Svensson and Therese Antman competed in 2016. They think more women should try the raid. We could not agree more.

Many women have competed since Dame Ellen MacArthur participated in 2003, 2006 and 2008. Carolijn Brouwer, olympic sailor known from Volvo Ocean Race, also participated several times both with and without her husband Darren Bundock. From Sweden the current Nacra 17 sailor Ida Svensson sailed several times. But also a long range of good female club sailors from Denmark, the Netherlands, South Africa, France, Austria, The UK and Sweden have participated proving that it is not only Pro sailors who can make it.

Read about the adventure on Ellens own words: https://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Ellen-MacArthurs-Archipelago-Raid/-45782

In 2024 we welcome more female sailors to the event, either as all-female or mixed teams!

Willkommen. Bien venue. Welcome.

Trip down memory lane to the 2019 edition

Sign up for the 2024 edition is open. Sign up here to secure your place, maximum 30 teams.

The concept will be similar to many of the past years with four full days of sailing in the inner our outer archipelago depending on the weather forecast and sea conditions. Each day the fleet will finish close to a base camp offering a sauna, a good dinner and a bed under a roof. Start and finish takes place in Saltsjöbaden and the course will take the fleet through the Central and Northern parts of the Stockholm Archipelago with base camps on the islands of Sandhamn/Lökholmen, Lidö (last time in 2006) and Nässlingen. Weather permitting the raid might round the remote iconic islands of Arholma and Söderarm further North than any raid in the past 15 years.

For the 25th anniversary in 2025 the plan is to do a more physically demanding 5 day raid in the spirit of the original Archipelago Raid. The venue will be Åland and/or Stockholm Archipelagos and it will be a more physically demanding raid possibly allowing some paddling, sleeping in tents and a maximum 25 teams for safety and logistical reasons. 

Very welcome to the Stockholm Archipelago Raid 2024.

Partnership with Seapax

Stockholm Archipelago Raid is happy to announce a new partnership with Seapax, the leading Swedish maritime safety company since 2005. 

– The Stockholm Archipelago Raid is well known to be one of the most challenging catamaran races in the world and sea safety is essential. It is a great match with our brand and we are proud to be partners and happy to be able to offer the best safety equipment on the market for special prices for the participants and the safety organisation, says Seapax CEO Christina Frii.

– Seapax is a prominent supplier of sea safety equipment that supplies the Swedish Sea Rescue SSRS among others. Part of their product line is essential for raid participants. We are very happy about the partnership since safety is paramount for the event organisation, says Lars Linder Project Manager of the Stockholm Archipelago Raid.

All participants are offered a general discount valid in the webbshop and in Seapax store on Rålambshovsleden 42. Archipelago Raid – Seapax .

Free of charge delivery to KSSS in Saltsjöbaden will be arranged for foreign teams that wish to order equipment just in time for the start.

Sign up 2024 starts on the 2nd of April

From Tuesday the 2nd of April teams can sign up for the 2024 edition starting on the 22nd of August. Maximum 30 teams will .

Tha Stockholm Archipelago Raid will be a 4 day adventure starting from the KSSS club at Saltsjöbaden. There are three base camps; Lökholmen/Sandhamn day 1, Lidö day 2 and Nässlingen day 3. Lökholmen and Nässlingen are old favorites visited many times before. But the last stop over at Lidö was in 2005 when Ellen McArtur left the British Telecom striped sails up all night Saving valuable time in the early morning hour. Lidö is under new management since a couple of years and the restaurant has gained good reputation. It will be nice to be back!

Teams who like the concept of 4 days of intense sailing, good food, sauna and a real bed to tuck in to for a good nights sleep should definitely join this year. For the 25th edition the plan is a more extreme 5 day version in the Åland archipelago. 

Welcome to the Stockholm Archipelago Raid 2024

/Lars Linder

Dates set for the 24th edition

Demesmaeker / Gagliani (BEL) in the lead 2021

The dates for the 2024 edition of the raid in the Stockholm Archipelago are set to 22nd to 25th of August. It will be a raid with 4 full days of sailing and start and finish in Saltsjöbaden close to Stockholm. The course will go through the Central and Northern parts of the Stockholm Archipelago with base camps on the islands of Sandhamn/Lökholmen, Lidö (last time in 2005) and Nässlingen.

Illustrative course: https://kartor.eniro.se/m/f0syr (sailed way would be at least 20% longer)

An extra effort will be made to get more top female and youth sailors to join. Maximum 30 boats with the aim to have women and/or youth sailors onboard at least 10 of these boats.

Jay and Lucy (AUS) 2018

For the 25th anniversary in August 2025 the plan is to do a 5 day raid in the spirit of the original Archipelago Raid. The venue will be Åland and/or Stockholm Archipelagos and it will be a more physically demanding raid with more sailing per day, maybe some paddling allowed, possibly sleeping in tents to allow more flexibility. Maximum 25 teams for safety and logistical reasons. Less experienced F18 sailors are recommended to do the 2024 edition as a qualifier.

Nature, sports and adventure