HSS Classic Yacht Symposium confirmed as the world's premier classic yacht forum
by Helsinki Classic Yacht Symposium 30 Mar 2025 17:40 BST
29 March 2025
CYS opening © Erik Lähteenmäki / Sailpix
HM King Harald of Norway received the Singoalla award for his lifetime dedication to sailing and the preservation of classic yachts.
At this sold out event an international audience of 350 gathered in Helsinki to hear a series of world class keynote speakers.
"In a world where risk is highly managed we are in need of people to take a chance, accept the risk and stick to it with foolish determination" comments Leo Goolden, a boatbuilder and one of the keynote speakers at the event.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, winner of the first solo Round the World Race and the Jules Verne Trophy is an offshore racing guru who has changed lives through his advocacy of ocean sailing. Sir Robin is equally at home on modern and classic yachts.
Marie Tabarly, recently won line honours in the Ocean Globe Race sailing her father's Pen Duick VI with a young crew picked for the event, prior to that she has raced both on the most modern racers and celebrated classic yachts.
Leo Goolden, changed the world of class yacht restoration by streaming his groundbreaking restoration of Tally Ho to an audience of over half a million followers. Practical and inspirational he has pioneered a new model in funding classic yacht restorations.
Steve Tsuchiya, a leading yachting historian who chairs the America's Cup Hall of Fame Selection committee, took us back to the golden age of yachting and the 1934 America's Cup with the majestic J-Class yachts battling it out for the oldest trophy in sport.
Claes Hultling who turned personal trauma and waist down paralysis into sporting success by representing Sweden in sailing at the 2000 summer Paralympics and devising a way to sail his 1924 classic 8 Metre with others facing similar challenges.
Singoalla Award
Presented annually to one Scandinavian/Nordic and one international recipient, this year's recipients were HM King Harald of Norway for his lifetime dedication to sailing and the preservation of classic yachts and Leo Goolden for his incredible restoration of Tally Ho.
During the weekend some of the world's most knowledgeable classic yacht experts mixed with each other fellow enthusiasts in a convivial atmosphere that ensured the best networking experience.
The symposium's success has prompted organizers to consider larger venues for 2026 to accommodate the growing interest of Classic Yachting.