Wins first Tall Ships Races regatta in seven years
Stavanger/Aalborg, 30 July 2026 – Statsraad Lehmkuhl won the third and final Class A regatta of the 2026 Tall Ships Races after an exciting race from Stavanger to Aalborg. The ship also recorded the best corrected time of the entire fleet, securing overall victory across all classes.
Statsraad Lehmkuhl making 14 knots just 54 minutes after crossing the finish line of the final regatta of the 2026 Tall Ships Races. Photo: Captain Grzegorz Drozdowski.
The third and final regatta of this year’s Tall Ships Races began off Stavanger on Saturday, 25 July. The organisers had designed a demanding course with four waypoints, taking the fleet through highly varied conditions – from fresh winds at the start to near calm at the southernmost waypoint, before gale-force winds and storm gusts swept through the Skagerrak.
15 knots under full sail
It was a demanding and eventful race with highly variable weather conditions that placed great demands on both ship and crew. At her fastest, Statsraad Lehmkuhl reached 15 knots under full sail. On board were around 30 professional crew members and approximately 130 voyage crew, all working together to sail the ship.
“This victory is the result of an impressive effort by both our permanent crew and the many voyage crew members on board. Everyone worked hard and contributed to an outstanding atmosphere throughout the race. I am incredibly proud of what we achieved together,” says Captain Jens Joachim Hiorth.
Built for demanding weather conditions, Statsraad Lehmkuhl performed at her very best, reaching speeds of up to 15 knots under full sail. While the smaller ships had to reduce sail, Statsraad Lehmkuhl was able to continue under a full sail plan.
“During the Tall Ships Races we push the limits a little further, but safety always comes first. We never take unreasonable risks. This regatta really demonstrated what the ship is capable of,” says Captain Hiorth.
Gale-force winds in the Skagerrak pushed Statsraad Lehmkuhl to speeds of up to 15 knots. Photo: André Marton Pedersen.
Back on top after seven years
For Statsraad Lehmkuhl, the victory marks a welcome return to the top step of the Tall Ships Races podium. It has been seven years since the ship last won a regatta leg. The achievement is made even more special by the fact that the 2026 Tall Ships Races celebrates its 70th anniversary.
“It is wonderful to be standing on the top of the podium again. The Tall Ships Races has always held a special place in Statsraad Lehmkuhl’s history, and this victory shows what is possible when experienced professional sailors and enthusiastic voyage crew work towards a common goal,” says Captain Jens Joachim Hiorth.
The victory follows several years during which Statsraad Lehmkuhl has prioritised other missions over racing. Among other achievements, the ship has completed two global voyages as part of the One Ocean Expedition, serving as a floating ambassador for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Many Norwegians also remember Statsraad Lehmkuhl as NRK’s popular summer television ship in 2021.
Statsraad Lehmkuhl shortly after departing Stavanger. The photo was taken from the full-rigged ship Sørlandet, which finished second in the competition. Photo: Magne Opdal.
Victory on corrected time
Statsraad Lehmkuhl crossed the finish line at 13:07 on Monday, 27 July, several hours ahead of the rest of the fleet. In the Tall Ships Races, however, the final result is determined by corrected time, with each ship’s elapsed time adjusted according to factors including size and rig type, allowing very different vessels to compete on as equal terms as possible. This year, Statsraad Lehmkuhl also carried a higher handicap than in previous years. Even so, she secured victory by just a few minutes over the full-rigged ship Sørlandet.
“That made the victory even more satisfying, while it was also a pleasure to share the podium with good friends from the Norwegian tall ship community,” says Captain Hiorth.
The Tall Ships Races is divided into four classes. Class A includes the largest traditional sailing ships, such as Statsraad Lehmkuhl. Class B consists of smaller traditional vessels, including the rescue vessel Colin Archer, while Classes C and D comprise the smallest and more modern sailing yachts.
In 2027, Statsraad Lehmkuhl will once again compete in the Tall Ships Races. The following year, she will embark on the two-year circumnavigation, the One Ocean Expedition 2028–2030.
Text: Helene Spurkeland
Photos below: André Marton Pedersen
