midnight_sun_raid_F18

Adventuristers of Turku Archipelago

Rohje is honored to be main sponsor of F18-class sailing race Midnight sun Raid this weekend, June 4th until 6th. The event involves real adventures and a sense of courage is mandatory among participants - all the elements that are also behind the design of the Rohje Adventurister watch.

We got in a last minute moods and thoughts from Formula 18 class yacht club board member and sailor, Totti Pekkonen, just before the start of a weekend adventure. Totti describes the coming weekend as follows.

 ”Do you want to be the one telling the stories or the one listening to them in the old folks home?”

A good friend once asked me that. I had a good think about it and decided on the first option. Ever since I have been looking for new adventures and found quite a few. However one of the best decisions I ever made was joining the Formula 18 -catamaran class.

If you are unfamiliar with the concept, it is hanging off the side of a 180kg twin hulled boat with your sailing partner, supported only by a small wire, inches from the water going about 30-40km/h while actively trying not to crash. In short, one of the best things anyone can do with their waking hours.

This year it is time to test our mettle in the picturesque waters of the Turku archipelago sailing in The Midnight Sun Raid. Raid competitions combine navigation, pure sailing skill and endurance with breathtaking coastal scenery and fun both on and off the water. Raiding in this sense is sailing between predetermined checkpoints as fast as possible restricted only by nature itself, then hopping on an island for a break only to do it all over again. Sort of like the vikings, but far more friendly.

If you have ever had a look at a sea chart from the coast of Finland, you might have already realized the inherent challenge with sailing extremely fast boats in these waters. For those of you that have not, below is an example. Hint: crosses and T:s are all rocks both above and below the surface.

Turku Archipelago

Combined with the elevated risk of going for a swim if things go wrong, some preparations are necessary to ensure risks remain at an acceptable level to safely do what we love. Each sailor is required to use either a drysuit or wetsuit combined with a personal flotation device to keep things more comfortable if leaving the vessel without the permission of the skipper. Red flares, knives and marine VHF radios must be accessible even when capsized to aid in a possible rescue. A portable GPS-device is a must to keep clear of the rocks that hide beneath the waves. Food and water must be carried to make sure the crew can perform throughout the day.

At the end of the day, it is about respecting the elements, the thrill of the race and enjoying life.

Jamie Lyn Beatty put it quite elegantly: "Jobs fill your pocket, but adventures fill your soul."

The Rohje team wishes a safe race to all Midnight sun Raid event participants and a great adventure in the great Turku archipelago landscape.

You can track the race using GPS tracking from these addresses: 

  1. day: https://sportrec.eu/ui/#1gas0hb
  2. day: https://sportrec.eu/ui/#1gas2ha
  3. day: https://sportrec.eu/ui/#1gas2hl

You can find the event website address here:

http://f18.fi/midnight-sun-raid/

Photos: Hartas Productions