8mR s/y Iroquois

Moments from the 2025 8mR World Cup in Turku, frozen in time by the one and only James Robinson Taylor. A week of hard racing, high spirits, and sharing the water with the world’s finest eights.

Last weekend we lined up with 15 beautiful 8-metres for the Airisto Classic Regatta, as international teams began arriving ahead of next week’s World Cup. It was the largest 8mR starting line we’ve seen so far - and a stunning preview of what’s to come when 21 boats meet on the line next Monday.

It wasn’t a smooth ride for us. Gear issues both above and below deck gave us a run for our money - but that’s what shakedown regattas are for. Thanks to a few skilled friends we got things sorted and learned a lot along the way.

Even with reduced boatspeed, the crew rose to the occasion. Calm under pressure, sharp on the water, and fully locked in - proving once again that it’s not just the boat that matters, it’s the team behind it. We’re incredibly proud of how the team handled the setbacks, turning challenges into momentum as we head into the most important week of our sailing journey this far.

Now it’s down to the final prep: training, tune-up races, measurement, and a little rest before the big one kicks off.

Pic 2-3: Jack Sailor

We’ve landed in Hanko for our first 8mR regatta of the season - but with winds clocking over 20 m/s, today’s racing is on hold. While we wait for the all-clear, we’re keeping busy with some light maintenance… and not-so-light napping.

Luckily, DHL’s got our backs—literally. These jackets are doing the heavy lifting today, keeping the crew warm, cozy, and looking sharp. Whether it’s moving parts across borders or keeping us layered up at the dock, they’re the kind of partner every team hopes for.

Now we just need the wind to calm down - because we’re more than ready to race.

Our new team caps have landed—and they say a lot more than just Iroquois 🧢 This season, we’re proud to wear the logos of two organizations close to our hearts: Pidä Saaristo Siistinä ry, whose iconic seal stands for a clean and protected Baltic Sea, and Makia Clothing, a sponsor whose roots run deep in the Finnish coastline 💙

As sailors, we depend on the sea for everything we do. Supporting those who protect it isn’t just important—it’s personal. That’s why we’re proud to carry the PSSRY seal into the International 8 Metre World Cup 2025 this summer.

And if you spot us on the dock, you might notice another seal tagging along on our gear… but we’ll leave that announcement for a little later 🦭

The team is working well into the night, pushing to get Iroquois ready to hit the water by Friday. Over the winter, we’ve replaced and serviced hardware, pulled the engine, and tackled a long list of upgrades—but the biggest transformation has been the full restoration of the hull, topped off with a fresh coat of her original British racing green.

With last year’s turquoise deck restoration, the new white racing sails, and now the deep green hull, Iroquois is finally back in her full original colourway—and looking sharper than ever 💚

We traded sanding dust for yacht club attire, and spent the weekend at the Classic Yacht Symposium in Helsinki 🤵🏼‍♂️Listening to legends like Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Marie Tabarly, and Leo Goolden reminded us why we do what we do—sailing isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life.

Now, back to the boatyard with fresh inspiration and even more determination to get Iroquois ready for the season ahead! 💪🏼⚓️

Pictures by, Piret Bakkum (1) and Erik Lähteenmäki (2)