A unique and historic Regatta - Summary and Results World Cup 2025

Swiss Triumph and Historic Success for All-Female Crew as 8mR World Cup Concludes in Turku

The 8 Metre Class World Cup 2025 concluded in spectacular fashion in Turku with Swiss yacht Yquem II claiming victory under skipper Jean Fabre. The week-long competition saw 21 yachts from eight nations battle in the waters of Airisto, with Finland's historic all-female Sailingl8dies team making sailing history with an impressive sixth-place finish.

After four days of world-class racing and eight starts in the scenic waters off Turku, the 2025 8 Metre Class World Cup has delivered everything promised and more. Swiss yacht Yquem II dominated from start to finish with several race wins, finishing with just 12 points to claim the overall title.

The German team led by Eckhard Kaller aboard Starling Burgess took second place, followed by the Austrian team with Werner Deuring as skipper on Pandora. The podium ceremony at Forum Marinum on Saturday evening celebrated not just these champions, but the wins in the several classes and the entire fleet's exceptional sailing throughout the week.

Finnish Teams Excel on Home Waters

The host nation put on a strong showing with several yachts competing at the highest level. Among the best-placed Finnish entries was Harri Roschier with Luna, finishing in fifth place. The Finnish fleet demonstrated the depth of sailing talent in the country and the strong presence of young sailors in this classic class.

The Dutch yacht Falcon, with Jan Willem Ypma as skipper, claimed victory in the Neptune class while finishing fourth overall, showing exceptional sailing skills as the Neptune is the most classic of the classes.

Historic Breakthrough for Women's Sailing

The standout story of the regatta was undoubtedly the performance of Finland's all-female Sailingl8dies team that also represented the youngest team as all crew members are under 30. With Selma Valjus as skipper, the crew aboard If delivered consistent performances throughout the week, securing a remarkable sixth place overall with 47 points. The team's highlights included a third place in the third race along with several other top results, demonstrating both potential and sailing skill.

"It's been a fantastic experience competing in this strong fleet and we're proud of our performance," said Valjus after the final race. The team's success has inspired discussions about greater inclusivity in classic yacht racing, proving that the sport's future includes sailors of all ages and backgrounds if it is enabled and made possible by those traditionally in the class.

Showcasing this inclusivity was also the IF Trophy that is handed out to one of the yachts that sailed the longest journey on its own keel to participate in the World Cup. This year the trophy was handed to Professor Claes Hultling, recognized for sailing his 8mR s/y Varg all the way from Stockholm to Helsinki. This also marked a well-deserved recognition for his work in making sailing accessible to people with severe mobility issues, with himself as an inspiring role model. Claes and his crew showed incredible positive spirit and dedication to sailing.

Event Exceeds All Expectations

The 2025 World Cup has been praised by international competitors and visitors as one of the most successful in recent memory. The combination of Turku's maritime heritage, the historic Ruissalo Boatyard venue, and the stunning archipelago setting created an unforgettable backdrop for world-class racing.

The event attracted unprecedented public interest, with numerous spectator boats following the racing and the livestream broadcast drawing over 2,000 viewers globally. This level of engagement demonstrates the enduring appeal of classic sailing and the 8mR class specifically.

"The World Cup regatta strengthens Turku's position as Finland's maritime heart and as an internationally respected sailing city. The event offered a unique opportunity to showcase Turku and the world's most beautiful archipelago to an international audience. As the organizing yacht club we could never have done this without the City of Turku as co-host," said Airisto Segelsällskap Commodore Hasse Karlsson.

The international competitors were equally impressed with both Turku and the event organization. "One of the most incredible and memorable events we have sailed with Falcon!" said Rudy Jurg, crew member of the Dutch yacht Falcon, echoing the sentiments of many international teams who praised the quality of both the racing and hospitality in Turku.

We can conclude that the 2025 8 Metre Class World Cup in Turku will be remembered not just for excellent racing, but for advancing the sport and inspiring a new generation of sailors and for the spectator-friendly event created. The co-hosting with the City of Turku shows the strength of good partnerships and the unique experience would not have been possible without the committed main sponsors Saxdor Yachts, Nordea Private Banking and Škoda.

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Final results in all classes: [Link]

Event website and race coverage: https://8mrworldcup.com/

Press photos: [Link]

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Media Contact:

Oliwer Bäcklund
Head of Communications
+358 (0)40 053 2469
oliwer@obacklund.com

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