A new era of offshore racing in the Baltic Sea begins in 2022 with the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s new 630 nautical-mile race, starting from Helsinki, Finland on 21st July
and heading around Gotland before returning to the tranquil harbours of Helsinki. The RORC, with its local associate – Ocean Racing Association, welcomes Roschier as the title sponsor for The Baltic Sea Race.
New RORC 600-miler: Around 30 teams from seven countries will take on the Roschier Baltic Sea Race starting from Helsinki, Finland on 21st July 2022 © Pepe Korteniemi
The Nordic law firm begins a long-term partnership with the race, which will be officially named The Roschier Baltic Sea Race for the 2022 and 2024 editions. With offices in Helsinki and Stockholm, Roschier has a presence on both sides of the Baltic and a passionate affinity with promoting the sea's maritime culture in various ways.
Equally delighted by the support from Roschier are the official race supporters: the City of Helsinki, the Nyländska Jaktklubben (NJK), Finnish Offshore Racing Association (AMP), Helsingfors Segelklubb (HSK), FINIRC and the Xtra Stærk Ocean Racing Society.
Managing Partner Mikko Manner of Roschier notes: “We are very proud to sponsor this exciting new race with the Royal Ocean Racing Club. Sailing combines two of Roschier's core values - teamwork and pioneering spirit; both equally important in high-performing environments. Setting long and short-term goals, working together in tightly knit teams and taking bold decisions when needed, are at the core in offshore racing and advocacy alike.”
Jeremy Wilton, CEO Royal Ocean Racing Club: “From the conception of this race, the RORC was excited by the passion and commitment from our partners in Finland. We are delighted to welcome Roschier who share our desire to establish a great offshore race in the Baltic Sea. Working with our partners, we are committed to providing all the ingredients for the Roschier Baltic Sea Race to become a race that the international yacht racing community aspires to be part of.”
Past winner of the 2020 RORC Caribbean 600, Tilmar Hansen's German TP52 J/V Outsider will be one to watch in the Roschier Baltic Sea Race © Tim Wright/Photoaction.com
With three months to the start of the Roschier Baltic Sea Race, the entry list boasts 30 teams from at least seven countries: Finland, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Finnish teams provide a strong presence and notable international entries include two winning skippers from the RORC Caribbean 600: Tilmar Hansen’s German TP52 J/V Outsider and Ireland’s Adrian Lee racing his Swan 60 Lee Overlay Partners.
Hypr Ocean Racing's Volvo Open 70 will be one of the largest entries © Tim Wright/Photoaction.com
The largest entry to date is Kenneth Bjorklund’s Norwegian CNB 76 Ender Pearl, closely followed by two Volvo 70s from overseas: The Polish National Foundation’s I Love Poland and HYPR skippered by Spain’s Jens Lindner. The smallest entries include two Finnish entrants: Salla Kaven’s H-323 Silvermoonii and Markku Hentinen’s x-99 Vinca. Classic yachts participating include Tapio Lehtinen’s Swan 55 Galiana and Santtu Parikka’s S&S 40 Pam.
Helsinki's Tapio Lehtinen is a well-known round the world, life long sailor who will be entering his classic 1970s Sparkman & Stephens Swan 55 Yawl Galiana © Tapio Lehtinen
Competitors successfully completing the Roschier Baltic Sea Race will qualify for membership of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, and boats that finish the race will automatically qualify for the 50th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race in August 2023.
To enter the Roschier Baltic Sea Race and for more information visit: http://www.rorc.org/baltic-sea-race
