The Viking Challenge, a new international ORC regatta series, will be launched in Northern Europe from 2026. Three leading organisers from Sweden, Denmark and Germany are joining forces to strengthen professional offshore racing and promote it in its purest and most challenging form. The Viking Challenge will be characterised by up-and-down courses, intense boat-to-boat duels and a direct clash between the best teams in Northern Europe.
The Viking Challenge kicks off with three events
In the inaugural year of the "Winkinger Challenge", three regattas will initially form the new series: the Marstrand Big Boat Race from 22 to 24 May in Sweden, Kieler Woche from 20 to 23 June and the Danish Blue Week in Middelfahrt on 29 and 30 August. Further events and host countries are to be added. At Kiel Week, the Viking Challenge is expected to include the Aaregatta and crisp Stollergrund sailing.
"As a professional sailor, I see the series primarily as an opportunity to sail regularly against teams from other countries and to familiarise myself with different conditions," says Bertil Balser (Regatta Vereinigung Seesegeln, RVS). "The courses are challenging and it takes teamwork and strategy to achieve good results."
A standardised points system and an overall winner's trophy for the consistently best performance are planned. Crews from Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and other countries are expected to take part, as well as teams from Sweden, Denmark and Germany, the countries involved in the founding of the Viking Challenge. The initiators are promoting their series idea with "professional organisation, clear rules and structured processes". The format is intended to fit seamlessly between the European and World Championships.
KYC and Point of Sailing are "driving forces"
The idea for the Viking Challenge arose from the desire for more continuity and a recognisable competition structure for top-class ORC teams in Northern Europe. The idea comes from sailors and is made for sailors. "There are many strong individual regattas in the region, but the most ambitious big boat campaigns need a series that offers consistency and high sporting standards," says Lars Wilhelmsen, co-initiator of the Viking Challenge and manager of the Marstrand Big Boat Race.
The Viking Challenge heralds a new era in Northern European offshore sailing." Lars Wilhelmsen
Wilhelmsen is convinced of the potential of the new series and says: "By combining three leading regatta venues and organising teams, we are creating a level of competition that matches the ambitions of the best teams and attracts international participants. The German big boat community, including the Kiel Yacht Club and Point of Sailing, have been a key driving force behind this initiative."
According to the ORC, the Viking Challenge is focussed on providing both strong racing and spectator experiences. All events will be organised according to ORCi with the same class divisions as the European and World Championships. The ORC statement says: "The courses are technically demanding and will be professionally managed."
More importance and visibility for ORC sailing
The initiators also describe what they mean by "spectator experience" in more detail: "The spectator experience takes centre stage and includes tracking, on-board cameras, live commentary, interviews, social media coverage and public viewing points in the event ports."
We want the teams to feel that they are part of something important. This is a big boat competition at the highest level in Northern Europe, comparable to a European or World Championship." Lars Wilhelmsen
Marstrand has a long history and reputation as a first-class sailing destination and has always been a marvellous stage for top international match racing events. As the central venue for the Viking Challenge, the event will contribute to the regional development and growth of the sport. Lars Wilhelmsen is convinced: "This initiative strengthens the local sailing environment and has a positive impact on the community. Marstrands Segelselskap is investing in expertise in race management, safety and the development of the athletes. The aim is not only to provide a beautiful venue, but also to support the long-term growth of the sport."
In Marstrand - just like in Kiel - the focus is not on the big picture, but on the nitty gritty. The Swedish drivers have already made clear their ambitions to organise major ORC championships from 2028. Depending on the international event planning and the respective award procedures, the Swedes' aim is to host an ORC European Championship or an ORC World Championship, as Kiel 2023 was in a furious manner.
The Viking Challenge is intended to help spread ORC
Corresponding steps are planned year after year: The Marstrand Big Boat Race is to be converted to ORCi as early as 2026. The organisation of an open Swedish ORC championship is planned for 2027. From 2028, the European Championships or World Championships could be organised, for which the Marstrand Bog Boat Race could then serve as a natural preparatory regatta.
Our aim is to constantly expand our capacities so that when we organise a European or World Championship, we can offer an event that sailors will talk about for years to come." Lars Wilhelmsen
The Swedes are deliberately publicising their planning now. "Long-term planning enables teams, sponsors, volunteers and partners to prepare and contribute to achieving the highest possible standard," explains Lars Wilhelmsen. The Viking Challenge aims to strengthen big boat sailing in Scandinavia, Germany and the Baltic region. The initiators hope that this will have the additional effect of increasing the use of ORC in countries where other compensation rules have previously prevailed.
More events expected for the Viking Challenge
"We believe that this series will stimulate investment in boats, teams and skills. It gives the top sailors a natural destination in the region and creates pride and momentum in the sport," says Wilhelmsen. "This is the start of something that will grow together with the entire Northern European sailing community. We expect more events and venues to be added after the first season."
