Time for Gotland Runt – The World’s Largest Annual Offshore Race

On Sunday 29 June, this year’s Gotland Runt kicks off, as nearly 200 boats from ten nations gather in Sandhamn to compete in the world’s largest annual offshore sailing race. The race has been organised since 1937 and attracts both elite crews and enthusiastic amateur sailors in a unique mix of boat classes and nationalities.

Among this year’s most spectacular entries are Black Jack 100, a 100-foot racing yacht from Monaco, and Biotherm, a 60-foot foiling race machine that recently competed in the round-the-world Vendée Globe. In that race, French skipper Paul Meilhat sailed solo and non-stop around the globe. For Gotland Runt, he will be joined by co-skipper Amélie Grassi and three Swedish sailors, with the ambition to set a new speed record around Gotland.

“It’s my first time visiting Sweden, and I’m excited to be part of this legendary race, 350 nautical miles around the island of Gotland. It’s an opportunity for us to experience a new marine environment, new landscapes, and a spectacular coastal course. This race is the perfect way to start our summer season with the crew onboard Biotherm,” says Paul Meilhat.

Also competing is Knierim, a 60-foot catamaran from Flensburg. Together with Biotherm and Black Jack 100, these three boats have the potential to break the current course record of just over 24 hours.

One of this year’s big profiles is Olympic medallist Vilma Bobeck, competing in Gotland Runt for the first time. She will race onboard an X-41 and is one of several top Swedish sailors taking on the challenge.

The smallest boat in the fleet is My, a Sescape 27 measuring just eight metres, expected to take around three days to complete the course and return to Sandhamn.

The course has varied slightly over the years but now starts at Gråskärsfjärden, south of Sandön. From there, the fleet sails north along the outer archipelago to Svenska Högarna, the easternmost part of the Stockholm archipelago, before heading south across open sea to round Gotland clockwise and finish back at Sandhamn.

During the event (27 June–2 July), visitors to Sandhamn can enjoy entertainment, trial sailing activities, and inspiration for the whole family. The guest harbours at Lökholmen and Telegrafholmen are open to visitors, with free shuttle boats to Sandhamn. Visiting boats receive free mooring in Sandhamn on 29–30 June.