Rolex Middle Sea Magic with a view on Stromboli at Sunrise

This year’s edition of Gotland Runt – delivered drama, records, and international star quality. Nearly 200 boats from ten nations gathered in Sandhamn to take part in the classic race around Gotland, which traditionally attracts both elite crews and passionate amateur sailors. Shortly before the planned start, the race committee was forced to make an unusual but necessary decision – to postpone the start by almost 24 hours. A powerful low-pressure system with storm-force gusts, heavy rain and rough seas swept across the area, and with the sailors’ safety as the top priority, the decision was made to wait for better conditions.

Once the race was underway, Gotland Runt 2025 offered world-class offshore racing. The greatest attention was drawn by the 100-foot maxi yacht Black Jack 100 from Monaco, which, under the leadership of skipper Tristan Le Brun, not only claimed overall victory but also set a new course record for monohulls. The crew pushed the boat to its full potential and crossed the finish line in an impressive 19 hours and 30 minutes, with an average speed of 14.24 knots.

The French IMOCA 60 yacht Havsörnen III (Biotherm), with round-the-world sailors Paul Meilhat and Amélie Grassi on board, also attracted significant attention. Having previously competed in both the Vendée Globe and The Ocean Race, the boat further elevated the international status of the event and contributed to an exceptionally strong line-up.

The Swedish Offshore Double Handed Championship in the ORCi class was also decided during Gotland Runt. The title went to Amazigh, sailed by Andreas Hamrin and Karl Jungstedt from Segelsällskapet Vega in Stockholm.

While the offshore drama unfolded at sea, Sandhamn was buzzing with life. The event days offered sailing trials, after-sail gatherings, live broadcasts, music, and attracted large public interest. The live coverage of the race has been viewed by over 100,000 people to date.

This year’s Gotland Runt was also marked by a strong focus on sustainability. Through the initiative “In the Archipelago, We Help Each Other”, efforts to increase recycling and reduce littering have been intensified, while the collaboration with Voice of the Ocean has further strengthened the environmental work.

The 2025 edition also set a record for female participation, with women making up 16 per cent of all competitors. This is the result of initiatives such as One More, aimed at inspiring more women to take part in top-level offshore racing.