Please select your home edition
Edition
A+T Instruments 2024 Leaderboard

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

by Helsinki Classic Yacht Symposium 30 Mar 16:40 UTC 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

Monaco Classic Week 2025
A spectacular display of sail and motor on the French Riviera Monaco Classic Week put on a spectacular display of sail and motor on the French Riviera this week. A celebration of traditional sailing yachts, vintage motor yachts, vintage motorboats and 12' dinghies were hosted in the glittering marina. Posted on 14 Sep
Register for 37th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta
A celebration of sailing heritage and camaraderie Registration is officially open for the 37th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, set for April 15-20, 2026 in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua. Posted on 14 Sep
Boat Buying Basics
Melanie earned her US Coast Guard 100 Ton Master Captain's License before her car license Melanie Sunshine Neale earned her US Coast Guard 100 Ton Master Captain's License before she got her driver's license. She grew up living aboard her family's 47-foot GulfStar sailboat, cruising up and down the East Coast and the Bahamas for 20 years. Posted on 13 Sep
10th Hamble Classics Regatta
Big breeze and big fun in the Solent The 10th Hamble Classics Regatta saw a 23% increase in entries and 40 yachts out racing in the Central Solent, each and every boat making this a special celebration. Posted on 12 Sep
Heritage Cup at Sea Cliff Yacht Club
Perseverance name of the game The penultimate 2025 CYCS regatta was certainly an interesting one, with a strong but brief storm cell blowing through in the middle of racing at the Heritage Cup at Sea Cliff Yacht Club. Posted on 11 Sep
Newport Classic Yacht Regatta concludes
Classic Yacht Challenge Series fleet marks Labor Day weekend The Classic Yacht Challenge Series (CYCS) fleet wrapped up its Narragansett Bay racing calendar over Labor Day weekend with the Newport Classic Yacht Regatta, presented by IYRS. Posted on 4 Sep
XXI Copa del Rey of Vintage Yachts overall
Winners crowned at Club Maritimo de Mahon Spartan (1913) in Gaff Rig; Amorita (1935) in Bermudan Rig; Argos (1964) in Classics; Mariska (1908) in Big Boats; and Barlovento-Senda Azul (1975) in Spirit of Tradition are the winners of the 21st Copa del Rey Repsol de Barcos de Época. Posted on 30 Aug
46th Cannes Royal Regatta Preview
A new dream vintage! After four extraordinary editions, the 47th Régates Royales de Cannes are once again shaping up to be under the best auspices this year. Posted on 30 Aug
XXI Copa del Rey of Vintage Yachts Day 3
Mariska, Spartan, Amorita and Argos edge closer to victory Friday's racing unfolded without incident, after Thursday's storm that forced the suspension of competition and sidelined two of the regatta's biggest names: Tuiga (1909) and Lady Anne (1912). Posted on 30 Aug
XXI Copa del Rey of Vintage Yachts Day 2
A dramatic turn when a squall with gusts of up to 53 knots struck the fleet After the suspension of the previous day, the fleet of 49 classic and vintage yachts was finally able to set sail on a short but intense course, starting and finishing in the natural harbor of the Menorcan capital. Posted on 28 Aug
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERSunstorm Marine - Mesh Bag - Sail