Marstrand, August 31, 2025 — Under days of spectacular racing, the 12 Metre yacht Northern Light, helmed by Magnus Holmberg, emerged victorious at the Marstrand 12 Metre Cup 2025, securing the coveted Pelle Petterson Trophy.
The trophy, awarded annually at the regatta, honors excellence in seamanship, teamwork, and consistency — values embodied to perfection by Northern Light. Following their World Championship title of the 12 Metre vintage division in 2024, Holmberg and his crew reaffirmed their dominance with sharp starts, clean maneuvers, and unwavering tactical precision.
“It’s a joy to sail here in Marstrand with this crew,” Holmberg remarked after the win. “Every race demanded full focus, and this result reflects the dedication of everyone on board. To win the Pelle Petterson Trophy, named after one of our sport’s greatest icons, is a true honor.”
A battle for the podium
The regatta delivered close competition across the fleet of eight yachts. Finishing second overall was Nini Anker (N-15), helmed by owner Christoph Avenarius of Flensburg Segelclub. The striking mahogany hull yacht, with its pedigree lines and strong performance, claimed a race victory and kept the pressure on throughout the event.
Sharing equal points but finishing third on tie-break was VIM (US-15), helmed by syndicate leader and ITMA vice president Patrick Howaldt. One of the most legendary 12 Metres in history — with an America’s Cup past — VIM demonstrated resilience and consistency, scoring a string of second-place finishes.
Full results (after six races, one discard):
Northern Light (US-14), Magnus Holmberg – 7 pts
Nini Anker (N-15), Christoph Avenarius – 13 pts
VIM (US-15), Patrick Howaldt – 13 pts
Flica II (K-14), Alexander Falk – 14 pts
Jenetta (K-1), Jens Peter Töpfer – 23 pts
Sphinx (G-4), Anna Frank – 28 pts
Vema III (N-11), Eric Svenkerud – 36 pts
Princess Svanevit (S-2), Richard Göransson – 37 pts
About the Pelle Petterson Trophy
The trophy is the original compass from the America’s Cup challenger Sverige (1980), the 12 Metre designed by Pelle Petterson himself. Rather than being a conventional silver cup, it carries the aura of a yacht that embodied Swedish ambition on the world stage. The compass, now mounted and preserved as the trophy, serves as both a navigational relic and a metaphor: it points toward the future while honoring the course charted by generations of sailors.
This year’s edition of the regatta showcased the enduring appeal of the 12 Metre class — timeless yachts raced by passionate sailors, bridging the history of the America’s Cup with the vibrancy of modern competition. In 2026, the World Championships will be sailed in the waters around Marstrand. Stay tuned!