The Roschier Baltic Sea Race continues to challenge participants with strong northerly winds, providing tough upwind conditions for the fleet still on the course. Notable finishes have been achieved, including Tschüss 2 (USA) claiming line honours on day three, and Niklas Zennström’s Carkeek 52 Rán (SWE) crossing the finish line on day four with an elapsed time of 2 days, 15 hours, 34 minutes, and 24 seconds, just outside the IRC corrected time of Tschüss 2.
Rán, despite finishing second, was greeted warmly by the RORC Race Team, including Race Officer Chris Jackson. The crew, visibly tired but in good spirits, enjoyed a welcome of cold beers. Zennström, a seasoned sailor who learned to sail in Stockholm, expressed his continued support for Baltic racing. Navigator Steve Hayles and tactician Bouwe Bekking highlighted the race's challenging nature, affirming it as a significant addition to the offshore racing calendar.
Following closely, Arto Linnervuo’s Infiniti 52 Tulikettu Redkik (FIN) finished with an elapsed time of 2 days, 22 hours, 25 minutes, and 2 seconds, becoming the first Finnish boat to complete the 2024 race. Linnervuo, who also led the first Finnish boat in 2022, noted significant changes from the inaugural race, emphasizing the presence of faster boats, professional crews, and a diverse mix of cruiser-racers.
Linnervuo remarked on the Baltic Sea's varying conditions, from light winds to rough weather, and highlighted the importance of staying alert due to frequent wind shifts. He conveyed his excitement for the future of the race, hoping it will soon attract as many competitors as the RORC Caribbean 600.
With 32 boats still racing, all have rounded the southern tip of Gotland and are heading towards the Helsinki finish line. Weather forecasts suggest the strong northerly winds will shift to the west, offering more favorable reaching conditions.
IRC ONE:
Taavet Hinrikus’ MAT 1220 Nola (EST), skippered by Margus Uudam, leads on the water but is second after IRC time correction. Per Roman’s JPK 1180 Garm (SWE) leads after time correction with 95 miles to go. Dirk Clasen’s Humphreys 39 Ginkgo (GER) is third, just two hours behind Nola on corrected time.
Navigator Nacho Postigo on Nola commented on the close competition with Garm, praising the crew's performance and Garm's impressive speed-to-rating ratio.
IRC TWO:
The Royal Swedish Youth Team, racing First 36.7 Team Pro4U (SWE) and skippered by Linnea Floser, leads with 135 miles to go. Pro4U has a nine-hour lead over J/109 Irie (FIN), raced doublehanded by Julius Haartti and Sanna Moliis, who are 191 miles from the finish. Philip Schroderheim and Madeleine Lithvall’s J/99 Vitesse (SWE) is 180 miles out, less than an hour behind Irie on corrected time.
IRC TWO-HANDED:
J/121 Jolene (SWE), raced by Fredrik Rydin and Johan Tuvstedt, still leads the six doublehanded teams, but their lead has been cut to just over two hours after IRC time correction. Figaro II The Spirit (DEN), raced by Swedish couple Ander Lundmark and Louise Edgren, is in second place.
MOCRA:
The TS42 Catamaran Squid (FIN), skippered by Janne Kjellman and Marko Maki, is just 50 miles from the finish and is expected to beat its 2022 multihull record by over 24 hours.
Arto Linnervuo extended a warm message to the boats still racing, encouraging them with the promise of a warm reception at Marina Bay Helsinki, where the last boat to finish will receive the warmest welcome.
Credits: Pepe Korteniemi/RORC
Zeelander Yachts will present its new flagship model, the 24-meter Zeelander 8, for the first time at the Monaco Yacht Show 2025. The yacht will be located at berth C27 Quai Chicane during the event, which takes place from September 24 to 27.The yacht features a layout with social areas on the main deck, including lounging and dining spaces, along with a galley. The lower deck contains three guest cabins. The master stateroom is positioned amidships and includes windows and a headroom exceeding 2.1 meters. The first hull includes customized modifications, such as relocating the galley to the starboard side of the salon and integrating the bar area with the cockpit.The yacht is equipped with a large targa sunroof and retractable aft doors. Sound levels are reported to measure below 65 dBA at its full speed of 32 knots. The yacht can reach speeds of up to 40 knots with optional larger engines.Each hull is built to owner specifications, with customization handled by the shipyard's engineering team. The exterior design maintains the stylistic features consistent with other yachts in the Zeelander range.Zeelander Yachts was founded in 2002 in the Netherlands by Sietse Koopmans. The first model was unveiled to the public in 2008. The launch model Z44 received positive reviews at the Monaco Yacht Show and drew enormous crowds, despite being at an event dominated by much larger yachts. Within three years, the Z44 had been successfully introduced to the US as well as Europe, and it was an obvious direction to add a larger model to the fleet. The first Z55 was delivered in November 2015, and the flagship Z72 was launched in March 2019.Credit: Tom van Oossanen/Zeelander Yachts
September 16, 2025
Pearl Yachts has established a new French dealership, Pearl France, with an office in Antibes. The facility is located at Avenue de Verdun, 06600 Antibes, in the Port Vauban area. The office is operated by Cenk Efe, Founder and Director of the Mallorca Marine Group 1994, and will serve as the brand's exclusive representative in France.Iain Smallridge, Founder and Managing Director of Pearl Yachts, stated: “France has always been one of the most important markets for Pearl Yachts. With the opening of Pearl France, we are strengthening our presence in the Mediterranean’s most vibrant yachting hub. Cenk’s expertise and reputation are second to none, and we are confident that this new chapter will bring our boutique philosophy and unique approach even closer to every client and brand enthusiast based in France.”Iain Smallridge and Cenk Efe Cenk Efe, Director of Pearl France, added: “We are honoured to be launching Pearl France in Antibes. French clients value elegance, craftsmanship, innovation, and discretion; qualities that Pearl embodies in every detail. The response so far has been exceptional, and we look forward to growing the brand’s legacy along the Côte d’Azur and beyond.”This opening follows the establishment of Pearl Germany and Pearl Gulf earlier this year.Founded in 1998, Pearl Yachts has established itself as one of the UK’s leading shipyards, specializing in designing luxury motor yachts known for their voluminous interiors, opulence, and design excellence. Credits: Pearl Yachts
September 16, 2025
Heesen Yachts has completed the joining of the hull and superstructure for Project Grace, designated YN 21350. The yacht is the first unit in Heesen's new 50-meter Steel class. The operation, which lasted one week, began at the Talsma shipyard in Franeker, where the steel hull was fabricated. The hull was then transported by river and canal to Heesen's facility in Oss, where the main engines were installed prior to the joining procedure.The yacht is equipped with two MAN engines, each rated at 882kW and compliant with IMO Tier III emissions standards. This is the first Heesen yacht to use this specific engine model.Peter van der Zanden, Head of the Design & Development / Engineering Department, commented: "The new 50-metre Steel series gave us the opportunity to select the ideal engine for our brand-new platform. The MAN D2862LE438 was the clear choice, offering a power and efficiency profile that is perfectly calibrated for Project Grace's performance targets."The exterior design is by British studio Harrison Eidsgaard. The design includes features such as low bulwarks and full-height windows. The studio is also collaborating with Heesen's engineering team on the layout to optimize guest and crew areas.Ruud van der Stroom, Heesen CCO, commented: “Seeing the lines of this first 50-metre Steel yacht take shape is a powerful moment—it’s where the vision becomes a tangible reality. We are confident her iconic design will resonate strongly with a discerning owner.”Project Grace is currently available for sale, with a scheduled delivery date in the first quarter of 2028.Heesen Yachts is a Dutch ship building company that specializes in custom-built superyachts in aluminum and steel from 30m to 70m in size. Founded in 1978, it has launched more than 170 yachts since its inception.Credits: Heesen Yachts
September 16, 2025
Damen Yachting has confirmed the sale of a new 53-meter Yacht Support vessel from its Yacht Support range. The vessel, currently under construction at the company's facility in Antalya, Turkey, is scheduled for delivery in Spring 2026. This announcement follows the recent sale and delivery of the YS53 Emotional, which will be displayed at the Monaco Yacht Show.The YS53 model is designed to provide logistical support for main vessels, with facilities for additional crew, water toys, and helicopter operations. Its features include an expansive open main deck aft area equipped with a 15-tonne crane for handling submersibles, large tenders, and other heavy equipment. The vessel measures 53 meters with a gross tonnage of 499 and can accommodate 8 guests, 10 crew members, and a captain. The exterior design, interior design, and naval architecture were all developed by Damen Yachting.Jan van Hogerwou, Sales Director North America at Damen Yachting, stated: “This YS53 is the perfect addition to the Owner’s existing fleet and provides the extension of facilities the Owner is looking to achieve with the addition of a support vessel. We would like to thank Stuart Larsen for his collaboration throughout this project. We look forward to the remaining build period as we prepare for delivery in Spring next year."The next available delivery slot for a YS53 model is Spring 2028.Damen Yachting, the yacht-building division of Damen Shipyards Group, employs approximately 500 professionals across its Amels, SeaXplorer, and Yacht Support vessel programs. No purchase price was disclosed for the new build.Credits: Damen Yachting
September 15, 2025
Numarine has introduced a new explorer yacht model, the 27XP, at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025. The 27-meter yacht replaces the 26XP model, of which 30 units have been sold.The yacht's exterior design and interiors are by Can Yalman, with naval architecture by Umberto Tagliavini. Two layout options are available: one with five cabins and another with four cabins. The five-cabin configuration includes a main deck VIP cabin, a full-beam master suite below deck, and three additional VIP suites. The four-cabin option moves the wheelhouse to the main deck.The 27XP features an open kitchen concept and enlarged outdoor areas. The flybridge is larger than on the previous model. A raised bow lounge is also included.Twin MAN 560 engines provide a top speed of 13.5 knots and a cruising speed of 10 knots. The yacht has a maximum range of 2,200 nautical miles at 8 knots. An optional enclosed, glass flydeck helm station is available.Ömer Malaz, Founder and Chairman of Numarine, stated: “After keeping our cards close to our chests for a little while as we worked on refining the design, we are thrilled to unveil our latest model, the Numarine 27XP. Longer, roomier and more versatile than her predecessor, she introduces new levels of comfort, light and openness, while still keeping the rugged explorer spirit which defines our XP series. She sets a new standard of elegance and capability in the explorer yacht class.”Numarine, a European high-performance motor-yacht shipyard headquartered in Istanbul, offers a range of yachts from 19 to 45 meters.Credits: Numarine
September 15, 2025