Lake Saimaa RAID –
a fresh water cat adventure!

Lake Saimaa RAID is a 3-day adventure race on 7th-9th of August, 2020. The race combines sport, adventure and the great outdoors in one of the most unique bodies of water in the world, the stunning Lake Saimaa.

What is Saimaa?

Nearly 10% of Finland is covered by lakes – we have over 100.000 of them! One look of the map of the Finland reveals how lakes sprawl over the countryside through rocky, forested terrain sculpted by the Ice Age. Lake Saimaa itself is the largest of Finland’s lakes and connects several of the larger towns. Its sparkling waters are dotted with forested islands and peninsulas, a winding labyrinth with beauty only done justice by boat. Hence, it’s the perfect area for a RAID race!

Saimaa is also home to the endangered Saimaa ringed seal. This special local resident is the world’s most endangered seal, and only 410 of them exist – all of them in Lake Saimaa. If you’re lucky, you can encounter one of these gentle seals during the race!

Racing

During the 3-day race, the fleet typically sails between 15 and 40 NM depending on the winds. We’re hoping to arrange close, intensive racing, sometimes with an early-morning start. Each day will have multiple legs, with each tracking one or more checkpoints around the Saimaa lake area. The event is open primarily to F18 cats, but other multihulls are welcome if space permits (Tornado, Nacra 17 etc).

Checkpoints on map:

After-sail

We’re reserving plenty of time for relaxation in between racing. There’ll be plenty of time for sauna, beers and good food in the evenings.

And what’s more, there will be an outdoor music festival in nearby Puumala during the race weekend if the COVID19 restriction measures allow. We’ll be organizing transportation to the festival for those who want to party hard!

Getting there

UPDATE 26.7.2020!!
The start and finish will take place at Saimaanranta Holiday Center! Saimaanranta is located at Taipalsaari. The cabins are marked with red, the harbor and rigging area with yellow and the trailer park with blue.

Saimaanranta is 250 km from Helsinki, a 3.5 hour drive. For international teams, it’s easiest to take the ferry to Helsinki and drive to Sarviniemi using highways E18 and 6.

Accommodation

We recommend arriving on Thursday, August 6th. Please arrange your own accommodation. The race organisation has pre-booked rooms from Saimaanranta Holiday Center for entries before 28^th of June. If you wish to stay at Lake House Saimaa, please indicate this when registering for the event.

Accommodation during race days (Friday and Saturday) are included in the participation fee. Our base camp during race days (Friday and Saturday night) will be the beautiful island of Rokansaari, part of the (see Google Maps). Rokansaari is a gem worth visiting in its own right: Beautiful sand beaches, a summer café, two saunas, campfire spots – and rental cottages.

Sailors will be staying in the Rokansaari rental cottages during race days. Breakfasts and dinners are included as well, and crews can prepare lunch snacks for themselves from what is on offer during breakfast.

Register!

This will be an awesome race. Register by following the instructions in the Saimaa RAID NOR – 1 June 2020 (section 3).

Lake Saimaa RAID – a fresh water cat adventure!