Big challenges ahead this summer
Viivi now has a few more months to finalize her boat. After that, the training season begins in the spring, bringing her one step closer to her biggest goal. Next, Viivi will undertake a 500‑nautical‑mile qualification sail in Finland. And that’s no easy task: a small boat, rocky archipelago waters, and busy shipping lanes form a combination that demands skill, concentration, and nerves of steel.
As Viivi says, “Sometimes the Finnish archipelago feels even harder to sail than the open ocean — there are small rocks everywhere.”
After a summer of training, Viivi and the boat Flow will move to Portugal to practice more in open waters. At the end of October, she will take on a “practice race” from Portugal to Lanzarote, the first major step toward her dream of crossing the Atlantic.
“I’m really excited about what’s ahead. I admit I’m starting to feel a bit nervous, but I believe that once I get out on the water and start training, the nerves will begin to settle,” Viivi says.
Tommi Uksila sparring along the way
Our CEO, Tommi Uksila, an experienced sailor himself, has been mentoring and supporting Viivi since the very beginning of the project. He has offered guidance on the boat‑building process and connected Viivi with helpful contacts along the way. Tommi has also emphasized the importance of technical solutions, such as thoughtfully planned electrical systems, to ensure the boat remains practical and reliable throughout the journey.
Our whole team is following Viivi’s adventure with great excitement, and sending tons of encouragement and fair winds for the challenges ahead.
