All pictures by Malcolm Hanes
Stockholm Archipelago Raid Manager Lars Linder announced 2025 edition of SAR would be an extreme one, run in the spirit of the original Raid, intention being to cross the Åland Sea for the first time since 2009.
“The starts can be as early as 4.30 in the morning since the course will be up to 50% longer each day compared with last years. This being said, and unlike the original, the aim is to get all teams back on shore in time to have a proper dinner together each day and a sauna where available.
Final registration, safety control and breifing will take place on Sunday the 22nd of June 2025 in Saltsjöbaden, then 5 days of racing from the 23rd and finish in Sandhamn on the 27th of June.
Sailors will back in Saltsjöbaden about noon on Saturday the 28th. The F18 World Championship in the Netherlands starts one week later, giving time to rest and logistics for teams who plan to do both. The places are limited to 25 teams for safety and logistical reasons.”
Extreme concept: key highlights
- Sailing extended to 5 days and moved to the end of June when the sun rises at 3:30 and the nights are very short. It is also a time of year that maximizes the chance to allow crossing of the Åland Sea.
- The start is in Saltsjöbaden/Stockholm and the plan is to sail to Åland and back for the first time in 15 years. If the winds are too strong to cross the Åland sea the RO will utilise the Stockholm archipelago to the maximum to create an amazing course among its 36000 islands.
- Paddling with one paddle will be allowed, but only between Check Points pre-defined by the Race Organisation.
- Base Camps will be decided as late as one day before to allow for maximum flexibility. Finish on day 5 however will be in Sandhamn.
- Sailors will sleep in sleeping bags in their own tents that will be carried by the race organization between the base camps.
- A proper meal will be served every evening and a breakfast bag to go and lunch packs will be distributed each morning.
- All personal gear carried on board the F18’s in the hull or on the trampoline.
SAR concepts comparison
Two alternative race areas
Both alternatives start with a race from Saltsjöbaden to Base Camp 1 at Fejan or Lidö. Latest in the evening that day the Race Committee will decide whether to go for alternative A or B depending on the wind conditions.
Race area A
- Day 2 start with a crossing to Åland. Base Camps in Åland day 2 and 3 to be decided the day before. Possible sites are Kökar, Lappo, Sandösund, Mariehamn etc.
- Day 4 crossing to Sweden late afternoon. Base Camp at Fejan or Lidö.
- Day 5 finish at Sandhamn were thousands of sailors are gathered for the start of Gotland Off Shore Race.
Race area B (when too windy to cross Åland Sea)
- Day 2 sail south in the Stockholm Archipelago.
- Base Camps day 2, 3 amd 4 to be decided the day before. Possible sites are Rånö, Nässlingen, Gålö, Björkvik, Stora Sand, Husarö, Svartsö etc.
- Day 5 finish at Sandhamn were thousands of sailors are gathered for the start of Gotland Off Shore Race.
Race area A and B are the more or less the same in the northern parts of the Stockholm Archipelago, but race area B cover larger areas in the inner parts.
For more information
Register here
