Climecon’s CEO, Tommi Uksila, participated in the sailing competition Ocean Globe Race 2023. The competition started from Southampton, England, at the beginning of September and included four different legs. The race was a 27,000-mile sprint around the globe. Spirit of Helsinki made Finnish ocean sailing history with a silver medal at the Ocean Globe Race 2023.
The final spurt
The fourth leg of the race was the most challenging in terms of sailing. The main reason was very unpredictable and bad winds. However, the team did everything they could towards the end of the race and worked long hours with the longest leg of the entire race. “The boat received poor weather information, so it was difficult to make a strategy. There were no traditional trade winds, and the Atlantic was full of calm spots,” Tommi Uksila says.
“This was an excellent performance from Finnish sailors. I wouldn’t go sailing around the world again immediately, but I would go to the southern seas anytime. Sailing around the legendary Cape Horn was one of the greatest experiences of my sailing career. The heat and windless moments of the tropics were sometimes frustrating. Overall, I am happy that I did this! It’s also a great feeling to be back at Climecon,” Tommi describes his thoughts after the race.
The boat is on a transfer sailing trip back to Helsinki, where it is expected on Friday 3rd of May. The purpose of the trip was to prove that with unity, flexibility, and pure determination, any dream is achievable.
Congratulations from the Climecon team to the entire crew of Spirit of Helsinki! We welcome Tommi back to Climecon!
View photo gallery
- Light winds and tropical heat caused headaches and stopped the journey several times on the last leg.
- Spectacular sunset in the Atlantic.
- Plenty of winds in the southern oceans.
- Navigating the race was done using traditional methods, including a sextant, clock, map, and compass. Tommi was one of the three navigators.
- Tommi’s watch shift: On the left, young sailor Aaro Immonen, Tommi, Pekka Raatikainen, and Oula-Matti Tuominen.
- Sailing in the southern oceans.
- Things to do in free time: reading books, dreaming, and listening to music.
- Arrival at the finish line.
