After four days and four nights of hardships in the Stockholm and Åland archipelagos, 11 of the 14 starting catamarans finished yesterday afternoon at the Gustavsberg Marina outside Stockholm.

The talented Swedes Anders Lewander and Calle Hennix on Tidermans took victory after an incredibly even battle between the five frontrunners. Since the start last Tuesday morning, Tidermans, Sogeti, Jobman Workwear and the two Nokia boats Adilstam and Kempff have been fighting for the lead. Tidermans sailed smart and strong and won overall with 80 points, three points ahead of second boat Sogeti (77 points), skippered by last year’s winner Magnus Woxén (with Rodney Ardern). Third place went to Nokia Adilstam, only one point behind Sogeti. Jobman Workwear missed the podium by one point.

During the four days and nights the competitors have sailed more than 350 miles, divided on five legs with a total of 25 check points to pass. The results are based on a point system per leg. The Archipelago Raid is one of the world’s longest sailing orienteering and a tough challenge for the competitors.

“The Raid is a powerful experience. An odd mix of great nature and wild sailing. A mix of meticulous planning and a sailing experience with both good and bad all the time. One can never give up and it is really important to constantly encourage each other on board,” said a happy Anders Lewander after the finish, skipper of the winning team Tidermans.

After a tight battle Sogeti (Woxén/Ardern) was first to cross the finish line at 16.19.44 (local time) in Gustavsberg’s Marina outside Stockholm and won the last leg from Wasahamnen in central Stockholm to Gustavsberg’s Marina. After adding the points from the five legs Tidermans won the total victory.

The ocean racing couple Neal and Lisa McDonald finished on eighth place overall. “There has been quite a bit of paddling, and the strong Vikings were much faster than us on that part. But the sailing was great! Of course we had a slight disadvantage not knowing the archipelagos as well as the other guys, but it is a great race. A real challenge,” said Neal McDonald rushing away to the airport to catch the first plane to England for the Admiral’s Cup!

Ellen MacArthur and Nick Moloney on Omega retired after the first night of racing. MacArthur sustained an accidental injury to her leg by a knife, cutting her shin during a manoeuvre on board and could not continue.