This year’s edition of Gotland Runt proved to be a demanding and tactically challenging race. Light and at times unusually unpredictable winds characterised the event, with 183 boats from 17 nations on the starting line. For many crews, the race was less about pure boat speed and more about patience, route choices and the ability to constantly adapt to changing conditions.
2 juli 2026
Gotland Runt 2026 decided after tactical challenges in light winds
At the same time, Gotland Runt 2026 offered warm summer days, strong public interest in Sandhamn and solid media coverage. The live broadcasts from the race have been followed by tens of thousands of viewers, helping to make offshore racing more accessible also to those following the drama from afar.
The first boat to finish, the trimaran Kraken, crossed the finish line already during the night to Tuesday after being the fastest boat around the course. Boats then continued to finish throughout Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The final boat to finish was Femetta, an RB 111 skippered by Per Sarri from Viggbyholms SS, which crossed the finish line shortly after 13:00 on Thursday after 3 days and 18 hours at sea.
“This became a Gotland Runt where the sailors really had to work all the way around the course. In light winds there are rarely any easy decisions, and this year’s race rewarded the crews that managed to read the weather, find the pressure and stay focused over a long period of time. I especially want to pay tribute to the crews that fought all the way to the finish during the final hours. It is a strong achievement and shows much of what makes Gotland Runt special,” says Stefan Rahm, Club Director of KSSS.
The overall winner on the Gotland Runt course was Jajo, a Volvo Ocean 65 skippered by Alex Laing. The fastest boat around the course was Kraken, an Ocean 50 skippered by Thibaut Vauchel-Camus.
In addition to being a high-level international offshore race, Gotland Runt has a clear ambition to be an accessible challenge for a broad target group. The aim is for the race to be something of a Vasaloppet for sailors: a classic challenge where elite sailors, family crews, groups of friends and double handed teams can all take part on their own terms.
One important new feature this year was that the shorter Visby course was opened to more boats. The course has previously been reserved for the classic classes, but this year became a new entry point into the race. The initiative proved to be a much-appreciated alternative, and the hope is that it will attract more smaller boats, younger crews and new participants to Gotland Runt in the future.
Gotland Runt course
Overall winner: Jajo, Volvo Ocean 65, skipper Alex Laing, CYM
Fastest boat around the course: Kraken, Ocean 50, skipper Thibaut Vauchel-Camus, SDR de Vannes, FRA
SRS Alfa: Jajo, Volvo 65, skipper Alex Laing, Cayman Islands SC, CYM
SRS Bravo: Macchiato, Diva 34 SC, skipper Martin Olsson, Täby BK
SRS Charlie: Solidsport, Elan 37, skipper Johan Lundqvist, Lännersta BK
SRS Delta: Wingman, Dehler 29, skipper Kalle Dahl, Turun Pursiseura, FIN
Double Handed: Blur, J/99, skipper Peter Gustafsson, GKSS
Multihull: CarbonTiger, Farrier 33R, skipper Börje Svedman, Nynäshamn SS
ORCi: Pandion, XR 41, skipper Jon Sindeman, KSSS
Visby course
Monohull: Ondine, Luffe 44, skipper Wolfgang Johansson, Tranebergs SS Classic: Ballad, offshore cruiser, skipper Patrik Salén, KSSS