The 12-metre yacht "Northern Light" with helmsman Magnus Holmberg has won the Marstrand 12 Metre Cup 2025 and thus secured the Pelle Petterson Trophy. In six races off the Swedish coast near Marstrand, the crew showed a consistently strong performance with precise starts, clean manoeuvres and convincing tactics. For Holmberg and his team, it is another significant success following the world championship title in the Vintage division of the 12-metre class in 2024. The Pelle Petterson Trophy is awarded annually at this regatta for outstanding seamanship, teamwork and consistency.
"It's a pleasure to sail here in Marstrand with this crew," said Holmberg after the win. "Every race required full concentration and this result reflects the commitment of everyone on board. Winning the Pelle Petterson Trophy, named after one of the greatest icons of our sport, is a true honour."
Close battle for the podium
After six exciting races, Magnus Holmberg won the Marstrand 12mR Cup on the "Northern Light" (US 14). With three wins on the day (races 1, 5 and 6) and impressive consistency, the team collected just 7 net points after the worst result (a third place in race 4) was cancelled.
Two teams tied for second place with 13 net points each: Christoph Avenarius with the "Nini Anker" (N15) from Flensburger Segel-Club and Patrick Howaldt on "VIM" (US 15) from KDY. While "Nini Anker", the yacht with a striking mahogany hull, shone with a win in race 4, "VIM" impressed with consistently good placings in the last four races. But due to the tie-break rule, "Vim" ended up in third place.
Alexander Falk followed just behind in fourth place with "Flica II" (K14) from the Kieler Yacht-Club. Despite two victories on the day in races 2 and 3, weaker results in the later races ultimately cost the team the podium. With 14 net points, they were just one point behind the two runners-up.
The other placings went to "Jenetta" (K1) with helmsman Jens Peter Töpfer from the Kieler Yacht-Club in fifth place, followed by Anna Frank with "Sphinx" (G4) from the Flensburg Sailing Club. The two last-placed boats "Vema III" (N11) and "Princess Svanevit" (S2) were unable to keep up with the midfield and finished the regatta well behind.
A total of eight boats took part in the event, with each team cancelling its worst result in six races.
The Pelle Petterson Trophy
The trophy is the original compass of the America's Cup Challenger "Sverige" from 1980, which was designed by Pelle Petterson himself.
In 2026, the World Twelve World Championships will be held in the waters around Marstrand.
Overall ranking (after six races, one string):
- "Northern Light" (US-14), Magnus Holmberg - 7 points
- "Nini Anker" (N-15), Christoph Avenarius - 13 points
- ""Vim"" (US-15), Patrick Howaldt - 13 points
- "Flica II" (K-14), Alexander Falk - 14 points
- "Jenetta" (K-1), Jens Peter Töpfer - 23 points
- "Sphinx" (G-4), Anna Frank - 28 points
- "Vema "Iii"" (N-11), Eric Svenkerud - 36 points
- "Princess Svanevit" (S-2), Richard Göransson - 37 points
