Where the sun barely sets

News of the fantastic Archipelago Raid which starts later this month

On Monday June 26th the sixth edition of the Archipelago Raid will start in Stockholm with 30 teams competing from 11 countries. The Archipelago Raid is known as one of the longest and most extreme sailing and orienteering competitions in the world. It brings out the best sailors and adventurers that race non-stop for five days through the astonishingly beautiful Stockholm, Åland and Finnish Archipelagos.

For five intense days and nights the 30 teams navigate hundred thousands of rocks and islands of the Stockholm, Åland and Finnish Archipelagos on Formula 18 catamarans. Along the way they have to find almost 30 checkpoints located on beaches, pontoons, boats and lighthouses. The event is organised in the true spirit of a Raid, demanding an extreme performance in sailing respecting nature in an adventurous spirit. The course can vary between 300 and 500 nautical miles depending on the wind strength.

At the first briefing on Sunday 25 June, the teams will be presented with the position of the first checkpoints. Further checkpoints will be handed out during the race. The finish is planned in Sandhamn on June 30th. The race is organised and produced by Atlant Ocean Racing.

The race will take the teams through a labyrinth of islands and nameless rocks. But the course will also go across an open stretch of the Baltic Sea for 33 miles between the island Åland, close to Finland and the island of Fejan, the northern point of the Stockholm Archipelago. Main attributes to win this race are endurance, knowledge of multihulls, navigational skills and knowledge of the amazing labyrinth of islands.

The Archipelago Raid gives a unique opportunity for the sailors, spectators and viewers around the world to discover the rare beauty of a number of destinations in the Swedish, Åland and Finnish Archipelago.


Latenight action from last year's event

Race Director and initiator Christine Guillou is thrilled. “We have introduced a slightly changed format for the competition. We planned this year’s edition just after midsummer’s. Meaning it will almost not go dark during the five days of battling through the extraordinary beauty. Allowing us to put our competitors even more to the test.”

The 30 teams are a mix of round the world and dinghy sailors representing eleven countries. The talented group, with some world champions, has experience in various different events, ranging from Volvo Ocean Race to Olympics and will race on Formula 18 catamarans.

For further information see the event site: http://www.archipelagoraid.com

Provisional list of entries:

1	St Jude Medical	Johan Gnosspelius	Henrik Grape	Swe
2	X-Leisure	William Sunnuck	Mark Self	UK
3	RBSC 1	Patrick Demesmaeker	Miguel de Frahan	Belg
4	Tbc	Carl Johan Söder	Staffan Skällenäs	Swe
5	Tbc	Fredrik Ekman	Gustav Tempelman	Swe
6	Tidermans	Anders Lewander	Hanse Thorslund	Swe
7	Yamaha Red	Charles Devanneaux	Mischa Heemskerk	Fra/Ned
8	Buster	Michael Schibbye	Fredrik Brusewitz	Swe
9	Yamarin	Eric Proust	Gerard Navarin	Fra
10	Yamaha Blue	Gunnar Larsen	Gerhard Van Geest	Ned
11	Yamaha Silver	Peter Vink	Koen de Koning	Ned
12	Team Kempff	Joakim Kempff	Magnus Nordström	Swe
13	Glenn Marine Racing	Kalle Kjerstadius	Johan Tempelman	Swe
14	Team Lefant	Tommy Murquist	Gunnar Åkerman	Swe
15	Stelacon	Lars Linder	Ronny Haals	Swe/Ål
16	Brossard	Yvan Bourgnon	Olivier Gagliani	Ch/Belg
17	Tbc	Anders Tengbom	Stefan Engstrand	Swe
18	Skane	Jonas Frii	Henrik Hansson	Swe
19	Karlberg Media AB	Petter Karlberg	Erik Brunnberg	Swe
20	Novo Nordisk	Arne Sjöberg	Mårten Simonsson	Swe
21	AB Gustavsberg	Eskil Degsell	Peter Mickos	Swe
22	GB Glace	Bengt Nissar	Jan Schiratzki	Swe
23	Sailing Team SPP	Björn Hansen	Tore Lewander	Swe
24	Aktivitetsteamet	Petter Åström	Robert Albinsson	Swe
25	Team Nikita F18	Thomas Walther	Michael Walther	Ger
26	40+	Fredrik Karlsson	Stefan Charette	Swe
27	SBS	Johan Haasum	Eva Karlsson Dahlberg	Swe
28	Tbc	Janne Riihelä	Kalle Bask	Fin
29	Tbc	Mårten Bäckman	Kalle Brodin	Swe
30	Tbc	Per Westergren	David Scully	Swe/USA
31	Tbc	Magnus Woxen	Tbc	Swe