Finnish Double-Handed Championship showcases top teams ahead of the Garmin ORC DH Europeans 2025
by Offshore Racing Congress 13 Jun 05:21 BST
6-8 June 2025
Finnish Double-Handed Championship 2025 © Pepe Korteniemi
The Espoo-Naissaari Race, held from 6 to 8 June 2025, brought together 17 double-handed offshore teams for a 143-nautical-mile course between Haukilahti in Espoo and Pentala Island.
This year, the event also served as the Finnish ORC Double-Handed Championship, with national titles awarded in two classes: ORC A and ORC B. The Espoo-Naissaari Race was organised by Esbo Segelförening, Espoon Merenkävijät ry, Espoon Pursiseura ry, and Kivenlahden Venekerho, in collaboration with the Finnish Offshore Racing Association.
With just one month remaining before the Garmin ORC Double Handed European Championship 2025, which will be held in the same waters from 5 to 12 July, the event provided a valuable rehearsal for Finland's top double-handed crews.
TENET wins the Espoo-Naissaari DH Class
The overall double-handed fleet was led by teams with proven international experience. TENET (JPK 10.30), sailed by Perttu Monthan and Mikko Karppinen, claimed first place overall with an elapsed time of 21 hours, 46 minutes, and 57 seconds and the best corrected time in the fleet. Second place went to TEGU (Dehler 30 OD), sailed by Janne Westerlund and Timo Kari, with an elapsed time of 21 hours, 26 minutes, finishing 5 minutes and 5 seconds behind the winners in corrected time.
TENET and TEGU both competed in the 2024 ORC DH World Championship in Norway, finishing 10th and 8th in Class B, respectively.
GOODIO (mat 1010), with Kim Jääskeläinen and Turo Nummi, finished third with an elapsed time of 22 hours and 31 minutes, leading to a gap of 21 minutes and 14 seconds to the winners.
Espoo-Naissaari Race results
Finnish ORC Double-Handed Champions 2025
The Finnish ORC Double Handed Championship titles were decided within the same event, divided by class.
In ORC A, the national title was awarded to TENET. After more than 21 hours of racing, the margins were remarkably close: SENJA (Bavaria 35 M MKII) by Jörgen and Fredrik Bärlund, secured second place just 3 minutes and 55 seconds behind on corrected time, while TEGU followed in third, only 8 minutes and 23 seconds off the winning pace.
In ORC B, the championship title was secured by GOODIO (mat 1010). Second place was claimed by PENELOPE (First 31.7), helmed by Perttu Rönkkö and Joonas Sandholm, who finished 35 minutes and 55 seconds behind on corrected time. MISS BEHAVE (First 36.7), sailed by Juho Siipo and Toni Kuusinen, finished third, 40 minutes and 53 seconds behind the winners.
GOODIO, a bronze medalist at the 2023 ORC DH Europeans in Class C, continued its strong record with a confident performance in ORC B. The close margins between the top boats highlighted the competitiveness of the class.
Interview with the winners
Finnish ORC DH Championship results scored with the ORC Weather Routing Scoring
Looking ahead to the European Championship
This year's Espoo-Naissaari Race provided a valuable preview of what to expect at the Garmin ORC Double Handed European Championship, to be sailed in the same waters in July.
Winners of class A and B at the Finnish ORC Double-Handed Championship are eager to welcome participants to the Europeans to enjoy the special time of the year, "nightless nights" of Finnish summer.
"Prepare to experience everything that comes with quickly shifting and various winds. We had 10 sail changes during the national championships, so there is lots of work ahead," said Perttu Monthan from TENET.
A strong Finnish presence is expected. Twenty teams, including 13 from this past weekend, are also entered for the European Championship, joining an international fleet of 37 teams from seven nations.
For many teams preparing for the Europeans, the next and final rehearsal will be held during the legendary and world's largest annual offshore race, Gotland Runt. It starts from Sandhamn, Sweden, on June 29th, 2025, and is valid as the Swedish Offshore Double Handed Championship for the ORC international.
As a helpful lead-up to the Garmin ORC DH European Championship, a technical information meeting for all registered teams will be held online on 17 June at 17:00 CET. The meeting will review the safety inspection procedures and required safety equipment, and will provide clarification on topics such as ORC Weather Routing Scoring.
Google Meet link
The Offshore Racing Congress (ORC), in collaboration with Helsingfors Segelklubb ry (HSK) and the Finnish Offshore Sailing Association, is happy to welcome double-handed sailing teams to the 2025 ORC Double-Handed European Championship - registration is yet open.
Race classes and format
The regatta will feature three ORC classes:
- Class A: APH 418.0-517.9 s/NM
- Class B: APH 518.0-557.9 s/NM
- Class C: APH 558.0-630.0 s/NM
Additional awards will be presented to the best-performing Female, Mixed Offshore, and Male teams.
Preliminary schedule
5-7 July: Registration and Measurement
7 July: Practice Race & Opening Ceremony
8 July: Short Offshore Race
9-11 July: Long Offshore Race
12 July: Prizegiving Ceremony
Register and find full event details at: orc.org/dheuropeans2025
The Garmin ORC DH European Championship 2025 organisers are Helsingfors Segelklubb ry (HSK), the Finnish Offshore Sailing Association, and ORC - Offshore Racing Congress.