As 3 weeks remains until the start of the 26th consecutive Archipelago Raid the teams prepare their boats and gear and for navigation in unknown waters. 

To date, 16 teams from five countries have registered for the 26th consecutive Archipelago Raid, and a few spots still remain for teams considering joining the adventure. The fleet includes a youth team, three mixed crews, former world champions, Olympic campaign sailors, offshore racers and several previous Archipelago Raid podium finishers.

Among the teams to watch are Victor Silén and Anssi Muikku (Finland), who arrive with strong recent performances at the F18 World Championships and many years of sailing together in the class.

Another Finnish team expected to be in the front is Niki Blässar and Oskari Alho. Blässar is a former Youth World Champion and Olympic campaign sailor, while Alho brings extensive offshore experience from races such as the Fastnet, ARC and Baltic Sea Race.

The youth team of Akseli Orama and Onni Hyttinen (Finland) will also be one to watch. After around ten years in Optimist and ILCA dinghies, they moved into the Formula 18 class and represent the next generation of catamaran sailors.

The Netherlands field two strong teams. The brothers Wik and Rob Becker bring decades of racing experience and several previous Raid appearances to the start line and so does Kees Wiersema and Arthur Moerman (Arthur finished third in the Archipelago Raid 2024)

From Germany, Christian Schütz, a veteran of both the Worrell 1000 and numerous Archipelago Raids, teams up with his daughter Katharina Schütz, creating one of the fleet’s most interesting family partnerships.

Among the Swedish entries, look out for Fredrik Karlsson and Niklas Nordblom three-time Archipelago Raid winners. Peter Busck and Oscar Wersäll also arrive in good form after strong performances at the European Championship earlier in July. And the Raid specialists Lars Linder and Erik Brunnberg, known for thriving in demanding long-distance races and tricky navigation conditions.

ÅSS and the race organisation is ready to welcoming the teams in Mariehamn on the 8th of August

/Lars Linder

Race Manager

In just two weeks, 14 teams from 5 countries have signed up for the  25th edition of the Stockholm Archipelago Raid.

Among the registered teams is the 2023 F18 World Champion Rasmus Rosengren, paired with Archipelago Raid winner Thomas Ekefalk (SWE). They will challenge the three-time Raid winners Karlsson/Nordblom (SWE). Notably, this year also marks the participation of the first-ever team from New Zealand, Marra/Duske (NZA). Additionally, the German Raid veterans Schütz/Rumpf (GER), who completed the Worrel 1000 in 2024, will be competing. Two UK teams with previous Archipelago Raid experience will also be joining the race.

3 Swedish Youth teams Åberg/Norrby, Eriksson/Hinnersson and Rehman Linder/TBD have also signed up so far.

11 spots remains for this edition that will mark the 25th edition since the first raid in 2001 by Atlant Ocean Racing. Don’t wait to secure your place.

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