Stockholm Archipelago Raid 2025. Tuesday June 24 – leg 3 och 4.
Leg 3 – Tactical Starts and a Long Reach to Rödlöga
Start: Grinda | Distance: Approx. 25 Nm
- Grinda start outside beach
- 18 leave to starboard Nassa
- 17 leave to port Nassa
- 7 finish Rödlöga
Day 2 began with 11 boats lining up at Grinda for what would become a fast and scenic leg across the archipelago. The wind held steady at 5–10 m/s, shifting just enough to keep teams on their toes during the upwind start.
Karlsson/Nordblom seized the lead right out of the gate, with Rankin/White and Ekefalk/Rosengren in close pursuit. However, things got a little chaotic on the line — Åberg/Simmons jumped the gun and had to take a 360° penalty turn. Oddly enough, Rankin/White also completed a penalty turn, though the reason remains a mystery.
Once around Grinda, the fleet caught the breeze and took off downwind. Karlsson/Nordblom extended their lead significantly, sailing confidently past Möja and weaving through the beautiful but challenging Nassa archipelago. Behind them, Rankin/White and Ekefalk/Rosengren fought for second, but the leaders were never seriously threatened.
The weather mirrored the mood — grey skies gave way to sunshine as the fleet closed in on the day’s finish near Rödlöga. Karlsson/Nordblom crossed the line a full ten minutes ahead of the next boat, showing dominant form. Ekefalk/Rosengren managed to edge out Rankin/White to claim second place.
After the finish, one incident was reported: Schütz/Rumpf ran aground but fortunately without major consequences.
Sailors were treated to a well-earned lunch at Rödlöga, wrapping up a 25-nautical-mile leg that featured long beam reaches, tactical decision-making, and classic archipelago scenery.
Top 3 – Leg 3:
🥇 Karlsson/Nordblom
🥈 Ekefalk/Rosengren
🥉 Rankin/White
Leg 4 start: 14:20
7 start Rödlöga
44 leave to port
46 leave to port
4 leave to port at Fejan gate
91 leave to port at Lidö
4 finish from south to north at Fejan
Leg 4
Tuesday Afternoon | Rödlöga to Fejan Gate (Shortened Course) | Approx. 22 Nm
The second leg of Day 2 began at 14:20 under a light drizzle and with tension in the air — quite literally. The teams lined up for a tight downwind start, where Karlsson/Nordblom were quickly dealt a setback: a penalty forced them into a 360° turn just seconds after the horn.
Unfazed, both Karlsson/Nordblom and Ekefalk/Rosengren broke away from the pack, choosing a bold easterly route directly from Rödlöga. Meanwhile, the rest of the fleet threaded the narrow channel between Gräskläppen and Askören. The split made for an exciting gamble, though the fleets later converged further north as the breeze began to settle.
Through the afternoon, wind conditions improved slightly but remained tricky — gradually easing and shifting. By the time the boats reached the Fejan gate, the breeze had dropped to a whisper — just 1–4 m/s — prompting the race committee to shorten the course and relocate the finish line accordingly.
Despite the fading wind, one team suffered more than just slow progress. Marra/Duske (NZL) suffered a serious hull breach and came dangerously close to sinking. Fortunately, they were safely towed to Gräddö, but their raid was sadly over.
The rest of the fleet pushed on in the light air, and it was Rankin/White who showed their finesse, securing the win. Karlsson/Nordblom recovered impressively to take second, while Åberg/Simmons claimed third — their first top-three finish of the event.
In the evening as all teams came ashore the hot showers and a well-earned sauna felt really good. Hamburgers were served before the tents were pitched for another short night under the stars before the early start the following day.
Top 3 – Leg 4:
🥇 Rankin/White
🥈 Karlsson/Nordblom
🥉 Åberg/Simmons
