Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

HSS Classic Yacht Symposium confirmed as the world's premier classic yacht forum

by Helsinki Classic Yacht Symposium 30 Mar 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.

Related Articles

Rolex Fastnet Race IRC One preview
Beyond the French legends there is plenty of international talent with podium potential With 17 editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race to his name, including five class victories along the way and an outright victory in 2015, could anyone bet against Géry Trentesaux doing it again? Posted on 4 Jul
A Royal Pageant on the Thames
RTYC Celebrates 250 Years in Spectacular Style The Royal Thames Yacht Club (RTYC) proudly marked a historic milestone on Saturday, 28th June, with a magnificent pageant along the River Thames - a highlight of its 250th Anniversary celebrations. Posted on 4 Jul
Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy Preview
Promising another colourful and memorable chapter in the history of this exceptional race The date is set for Thursday, October 2nd in Saint-Tropez for the 14th edition of the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy. This one-of-a-kind regatta is exclusively reserved for classic yachts that are at least 100 years old. Posted on 3 Jul
Robert H. Tiedemann Classics Regatta concludes
A triumphant start to the Classic Yacht Challenge Series The 2025 Robert H. Tiedemann Classics Regatta, hosted by the New York Yacht Club, delivered a spectacular start to this year's Classic Yacht Challenge Series. Posted on 3 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race: Offshore classics set to race
IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it. While French round the world race legend Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (aka VDH) isn't competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race, two of his former steeds will be on the IRC Zero start line. Posted on 2 Jul
Strale wins the XII Monaco Principality Trophy
Calm seas and a light breeze from the South-East in Venice Strale (1967) by Antonio Bandini of the Circolo Velico Ravennate wins the Overall of the XII Principality of Monaco Trophy. Posted on 1 Jul
2025 Tiedemann Regatta
Experience shines alongside the brightwork at the Nw York Yacht Club A century ago, R Class yachts were the sports cars of the yachting world, sleek and low to the ground, nimble in the corners and quick around the course, and, above all, demanding to drive. Posted on 30 Jun
Rolex Fastnet Race at 100 – the making of a giant
At present 469 yachts have entered this special edition - a far cry from its humble origins in 1925 One month remains until the 26 July start of the Rolex Fastnet Race, this year celebrating both its centenary as well as that of the club it spawned: the Royal Ocean Racing Club. Posted on 27 Jun
CYCS 2025 Tiedemann Classics Regatta preview
Bringing together some of the most beautiful yachts on the water The Classic Yacht Owners Association's annual Classic Yacht Challenge Series (CYCS) kicks off a summer of stunning northeastern sailing with the 2025 Tiedemann Classics Regatta this weekend. Posted on 27 Jun
Royal Thames YC 250th Anniversary Thames Pageant
24 RTYC member vessels are set to converge on the tidal Thames and form a flotilla through London London's Royal Thames Yacht Club will mark a very special anniversary at St Katharine Docks this month. Celebrating its 250th anniversary, 24 RTYC member vessels are set to converge on the tidal Thames and form a flotilla through London. Posted on 27 Jun