John Nurminen Foundation goes sailing with s/y Belmont
Every year s/y Belmont provides John Nurminen Foundation, our long time partner, with several sailing trips. This helps them to further their agenda of conserving the Baltic Sea and its heritage for future generations. Typically, John Nurminen Foundation uses this opportunity to take important cooperation partners for a day on the water.
“Our objective is to conserve the Baltic Sea and its heritage for future generations. We realize productive and concrete conservation operations concerning the Baltic Sea, and make sure that the stories of the sea are passed on to future generations.”
- John Nurminen Foundation
This year’s first excursion was blessed with a stunning sailing weather with plenty of sun and brisk southerly wind. The conditions allowed for anyone who wanted to come and take a turn steering, which in itself is rather exciting as s/y Belmont is a rather large sailing boat. Some of the team from John Nurminen Foundation had plenty of sailing experience, while others weren’t too familiar with how a sailing boat works. Nevertheless, everyone had a relaxed day on the water with lots of laughs.
“It is always a great pleasure to open a new sailing season with our long term partner legendary s/y Belmont. As usual We sailed from s/y Belmont’s home port HSK Lauttasaari, from where we headed to the Harmaja lighthouse and from there on through the fortress islands of Suomenlinna to almost the center of Helsinki. There in front of Valkosaari and sheltered from the brisk wind we had a great opportunity to enjoy coffee and sandwiches. Warm thanks once again to s / y Belmont and its wonderful crew. We look forward to our next joint sailing”.
-Ari Rytkönen, Corporate Fundraiser, John Nurminen Foundation
The Swan European Regatta Turku 2021: why you don't want to miss it
Yleinen
19.07.2021
As the Swan European Regatta 2021 approaches we thought it would be nice to recap the previous edition of the Turku sailing event and let you know what you can expect from this year’s edition. The Swan European Regatta will place take this year from the 21st to 25th of July. The event which was initially scheduled to take place last year, will be finally going ahead this year. Among the confirmed entries is Tapio Lehtinen’s Swan 55 Galiana, with the rest of the fleet (over 40 entries!) hailing from Finland, Sweden and Germany.
The summer city of Turku which has previously hosted the event three times will once again play host to this prestigious event. The regatta is organised by Nautor’s Swan in collaboration with Turku Yacht Club (Turun Pursiseura) as well as the City of Turku. Racing will take in the form of archipelago racing which means enjoying the pristine beauty of the Airisto racing area. Docking for all boats will again be in the heart of the city, along the river Aura.
Racing
The racing course will be located in the Sea of Archipelago – Airisto. The racing will consist of four races – one race per day with each race estimated to take 3-6 hours. The laidback nature of the racing lets sailors enjoy their surroundings on the beautiful waters of Airisto.
Mikko Hongell, who participated in the 2016 edition of the race, while celebrating a friends bachelor party said of the regatta, “First you have some not-too-serious sail racing in the most beautiful archipelago with the most beautiful boats. Then after the racing, you glide to the beautiful Turku river for great layback social events with the other crews and visitors.”.
For people hailing from afar, charts of the area can be found here (Finnish Coastal Chart 26, Korppoo-Turku or Sea Chart Series D, Sea of Archipelago)
The handicap system Time on Time (TOT) scoring will be used. You can find further information on the racing, such as the Notice of Race here.
Social
The mooring will once again be in the guest harbour, which is situated in the heart of Turku along the River Aura. This mooring is ideal for people looking to experience the summer city of Turku as its best. Situated right next to the guest harbour is the trendy restaurant NOOA as well as the Turku landmark Föri (which is the oldest vehicle still in daily operation in Finland). Also, a stone throw away is Forum Marinum, a maritime museum which has a plethora of interesting boats and crafts from yesteryear.
Unfortunately, the well known social events, such as the Owner’s dinner (previously held at Turku Castle) and Crew Party, which have been major highlights in previous editions of the event, will not be taking place this year due to the pandemic. However, the City of Turku will be hosting small events that will run alongside the Swan European Regatta – a stage has been promised.
The Opening Ceremony as well as the Prize giving will take place onboard the full-rigger Suomen Joutsen, so bring something a little more formal than shorts and t-shirt!
As the event is organised by Nautor’s Swan, it means that the regatta is a Swans-only affair. If you don’t own a Swan or don’t know anyone who does – fear not! You can always rent one for you and your friends! Buying and upkeeping a large yacht is a lot so here’s easily accessible options.
For more information on chartering a Swan head over to S/y Belmont Racing!
Joel Harkimo is taking the helm of the s/y Belmont project
Joel Harkimo will replace Joakim Hildén who has been in charge of the s/y Belmont project since 2016.
Swan 51 s/y Belmont is proud to announce that Joel Harkimo will be taking the helm of the s/y Belmont project. Harkimo is currently a managing partner of Starsquad Events as well as the son of Harry “Hjallis” Harkimo, who successfully competed in the single-handed BOC Challenge Around the World 1986-87 with s/y Belmont. Joel Harkimo himself has a rather public background in sailing having sailed across the Atlantic in the reality television show, "Atlantin yli".
s/y Belmont is a dream boat for me. When I was a kid, my father told me about his solo sailing and the big adventure. I have not however had much to do with s/y Belmont, so I am very excited to be a part of this project. In a way it is a dream come true for me. I also get to go sailing with the boat and can’t wait to show it to my partner Janni!
-Joel Harkimo
Joel Harkimo will succeed Joakim Hildén who has been in charge of the s/y Belmont project for the past 5 years. Hildén will continue as board member of the company.
The change in leadership comes at the same time as the company is transitioning to a social enterprise while continuing the company's legacy of guarding a piece of Finnish sailing history as well as its various charity based endeavours working with the likes of John Nurminen Foundation, Helsinki Missio and Sea Scouts. All subsequent profits will be used for the upkeep, operational costs and charity.
I am more than happy to hand over the helm to Joel, especially so now that our s/y Belmont project is officially a social enterprise. Even though the project has run as a 100% pro-bono project ever since we acquired s/y Belmont, it is now easier for the public to realize that all we have done in the past, and will do in the future, is solely for the benefit of preserving a piece of Finnish sailing history and for enabling us to do charity work.
-Joakim Hildén.
S/y Belmont, which is based in Lauttasaari, Helsinki is currently gearing up for the coming sailing season with events such as the Swan European Regatta 2021 close on the horizon.
Joel Harkimo will begin his journey in charge of the s/y Belmont project with immediate effect.
Contact:
Piu Nyberg
sales & marketing
piu.nyberg@sy-belmont.com