On the evening of 20 November, the Tallinn Yacht Club and our guests gathered for a festive dinner at our home harbour, Haven Kakumäe, in the restaurant Puri. We reflected on a fantastic season, thanked our supporters, welcomed new club members, and took a brief look at plans for the coming seasons.

Commodore Harri Mikk summed up the season as follows:
“In Estonian, achievements or things well done are often described with the word ‘mehetegu’ — a ‘man’s deed’. But when we look back at our club’s activities this season, the greatest deeds were actually accomplished by women.
Johanna Poksi has just earned the status of International Sailing Judge. The Helens — our 49erFX sailors, Helen Pais and Helen Ausman — are Estonia’s Sailing Team of the Year, or rather, Women’s Sailing Team of the Year. Our Sailing School, under Maris’s leadership, has once again been one of Estonia’s best this season. And of course, the most powerful achievement of all — just last week, Anna Liisa Talts successfully finished the Mini Transat, becoming the first Estonian woman to sail solo across the Atlantic!”
The commodore then reviewed each of the club’s major events: the club night at the PoCo Museum; the club night with solo sailor Anna-Liisa Talts; the season opening with the change of commodores and the opening regatta; the Kakumäe GP series; Tallinn Race at the Seaplane Harbour during Maritime Days; the record-breaking members’ flotilla along the Finnish coast; the participant-record Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championships; the Tallinn Yacht Club Cup in Lohusalu; the joint Thursday Night Sailing events in Kakumäe; and the Tallinn Week regatta.
Commodore Harri concluded his review by saying that “we had a powerful season — a record flotilla, trendsetting and next-level organisation of the Nordic Youth Championships, numerous regattas, recognitions and achievements. An exceptional year. We all have reason to congratulate one another and to be grateful that all of this is possible for us. Thank you!”

Maris Seersant, head of our Sailing School, then summarised the school’s season:
“Dear sailors, coaches, parents and supporters!
In 2024 we were named Estonia’s Best Sailing School. Standing here today and looking back on 2025, I can confidently say: we have not lowered that standard even a bit. Although official protocols are still being finalised, the medals from the Estonian Championships and the achievements of our athletes speak for themselves — we are still worthy of the title of the best school.
Alongside the Estonian season, we shone on the international stage as well. The undisputed crown jewel of the season was the Nordic Youth Championships, where we competed with a large team. The results were outstanding — led by a podium sweep in the ILCA6 women’s class and another podium sweep in the 29er class!
But medals are only the result. The reason lies in our people and our work culture. The true recognition of our efforts is when sailors from other schools increasingly wish to train under our coaches and alongside our athletes. This shows that our environment is a magnet that attracts.
For our top sailors, the season no longer ends with the autumn storms. Today, the best train year-round, and it is wonderful to see younger sailors following their example and extending their seasons with training camps abroad.
The continuity of generations brings special joy — young and dedicated sailors who grew up in our school have now joined us as coaches. This is the very foundation on which we enter the 2026 season motivated, with an even stronger team, confident that we are doing the right thing.
Thank you all for your contribution!”
Maris Seersant announced the Young Sailors of the Year, awarded to Eva-Lotta Soomer and Albert Kepp, who sail together in the 29er class. Maris also thanked the school’s coaches for their dedication in teaching and supporting young sailors.

We were able to successfully carry out the season’s many events thanks to the strong community of club members, sailing school families, and supporters. Head of School Maris, Commodore Harri, and Secretary General Ott together thanked all our supporters and presented them with club certificates of appreciation. Thank you!

What’s next? Next season will once again feature our annual established events: club nights, the season opening, the flagship event — the flotilla — traditional regattas, and small craft skipper trainings. The preliminary plan for the flotilla includes a voyage along the Finnish coast in the Turku archipelago during the third week of July, heading toward Åland.
Next summer we are not planning to organise any regatta on the scale of this year’s Nordic Youth Championships. However, we do intend to continue applying for hosting rights of major international regattas in upcoming seasons to repeat this summer’s excellent performance.
Additionally, we plan to develop a new regatta series based on the Kakumäe GP and Tallinn Race. Our aim is to create an attractive platform for cooperation between companies and sailing teams, giving companies the opportunity to compete with boats carrying their own name. We have plenty of high-level sailors to make this happen.

The evening concluded with the lowering of the club flag from the Haven Kakumäe flagpole, marking the official end of the season. Our Sailing School will wrap up its own season this Sunday, also at Haven Kakumäe. And then we can truly say that this wonderful season has come to an end.

Photos (Tiit Aunaste): https://www.facebook.com/tallinnajahtklubi/posts/pfbid0Bp6haPKSnbFL8yUQ3QjvA6P3s5bghwcXTP6bD5f7PPRg2MHEKCETRuJrQDuoC2Tyl

At the World Sailing Annual Congress held in Ireland, the international governing body for the sport decided to award our club member Johanna Poksi the qualification of International Judge. As of today, there are only two international sailing judges in the Baltic states: Johanna and her father Andrus Poksi, who received the highest judging category in 2006.

Applying for international judge status requires holding a national-level qualification. Johanna obtained her club-level judge status from the Estonian Sailing Federation in 2017 and her national category in 2019. As the first step toward applying for the international level, she had to complete a seminar and pass a test, which she successfully did in October last year in Riga. For the practical requirement, she needed to participate in four international regattas and receive positive evaluations from the jury chair at three of them. Johanna achieved positive assessments at the Kiel Week regatta, the Travemünde Week regatta, the ORC Offshore Sailing World Championship in Tallinn, and the ILCA 6 & ILCA 7 U21 World Championships in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland. The International Judge qualification is valid for four years.

One important prerequisite for becoming a successful sailing judge is strong competitive experience in dinghy classes. Johanna describes her sailing journey as follows:
“I started sailing in the Optimist class in 2006 at the age of six at the Tallinn Yacht Club Sailing School in Pirita, coached by Maria Veessaar. Later I sailed the single-handed Zoom8 and the double-handed RS Feva together with Maris Seersant and later Mari-Ann Holter. I also spent a couple of years sailing the double-handed 470, and in 2015 I became Estonian champion together with Mari Põldmaa.”

For many years, Johanna has taken part in major Estonian regattas as a judge, as well as serving as an umpire at Tallinn Race and other regattas with finals. We wish Johanna successful and exciting international regattas around the world and look forward to welcoming her back to officiate at our club’s competitions!

On Thursday, Anna-Liisa Talts became the first Estonian woman to sail solo across the Atlantic Ocean, covering nearly 7,500 kilometres — a little over 4,000 nautical miles.

Anna-Liisa completed the race known as the Mini Transat, finishing in Guadeloupe on her 6.5-metre sailboat. “I am happy that I was able to achieve my goal,” said our club member after the challenge. Talts crossed the finish line at 3:20 a.m. local time. Altogether, the two-stage ocean crossing took 18 days, 17 hours, and 20 minutes.

Interview with Anna-Liisa Talts and her father Andres in Estonian TV program Ringvaade: https://jupiter.err.ee/1609847764/ringvaade?t=117

“Many people get an MBA degree; I decided to complete a solo Atlantic crossing,” she explained after finishing 52nd in her class. She brought her boat, Nolita, to the finish in perfect condition. “For me, it was much harder to fight with myself than to take care of the boat.”

“It’s hard to describe what I’m feeling right now. Getting here… it’s so different from everything that happened at sea. It was a long journey, sometimes very difficult, but I also got a lot of sleep!” she admitted. “Honestly, I had no special expectations and it was hard to imagine what it would mean to spend so many days alone on the ocean. But in the end, everything went well — and I did it!”

Talts is now the first Estonian woman to finish this race. “I think it just had to happen. I’m happy about it, but most of all, I hope that in the future others will take on this adventure too,” she commented.

“In Estonia, a few people have sailed in the Mini class before, and I was very curious to learn more about solo sailing. I started talking to them, and quite quickly, when I heard about the Mini community, I realised this was something I had to experience. After two years of qualification races, it was this Mini-class family that fed my desire to take part.”

Talts celebrated achieving her goal. “Crossing the Atlantic was easy. Two years of work for it — that was hard. It felt a bit unbelievable that I was actually here now. I was just so happy to see all the friends in the harbour with whom we accomplished this! And I miss those who are far away right now!”

Her journey began on 21 September in Les Sables d’Olonne, with the first leg finishing in the Canary Islands. In the first days, she struggled with severe seasickness and a broken bowsprit, which left her without two sails. But by the third day, she had adapted, installed a spare bowsprit, and found her rhythm again.

On 25 September, organisers cancelled the first leg due to Hurricane Gabrielle, with gusts reaching 60 knots and waves up to eight metres, prioritising the sailors’ safety. Competitors were directed to seek shelter along the Portuguese coast, where Anna-Liisa, with the help of her father Andres and his spouse Kristi Talts, restored the boat to racing condition and continued on her own to the Canary Islands to be ready for the second stage.

The second and longest leg of the Mini Transat began on 25 October from Santa Cruz de La Palma, with the goal of reaching Guadeloupe in the Caribbean — 2,700 nautical miles or nearly 5,000 kilometres away. Finding suitable trade winds and selecting the optimal route were key to success in the ocean crossing.

Mini Transat is one of the world’s most legendary solo sailing races. It is a journey that begins in France and ends in the Caribbean, lasting two to three weeks. Competitors sail 6.5-metre boats subject to extremely strict safety requirements.

It is a race where human dedication, courage, knowledge, and experience take priority, replacing the capabilities of technology, as participants may not use phones, smart devices, or the internet. For navigation, only paper charts and a simple GPS showing position and manually entered waypoints are permitted.

The Mini class is considered an incubator for offshore sailing, from which today’s most innovative boats and most successful solo sailors have emerged. Qualifying for the Mini Transat alone is a major achievement: each year, only 90 competitors are selected, having collected enough qualification miles and completed the mandatory 1,000-nautical-mile solo sail.

Source: ERR

Dear club members, sailors, and parents,

We warmly invite you and your families to celebrate the end of the sailing season of Tallinn Yacht Club with a festive dinner at Restaurant Puri, Haven Kakumäe, on November 20th at 18:00.

The evening program includes:
– A summary of the club’s and sailing school’s activities during the season
– Recognition of our supporters and top performers
– Presentation of plans for the upcoming season
– Welcoming new club members and handing over club symbols

The participation fee for the season closing event is €70, payable upon registration on our website:
https://tjk.ee/toode/tallinna-jahtklubi-hooaja-lopetamine-2025/

Registration is open until November 15th.

We look forward to seeing you at the TJK Season Closing Event,

Harri Mikk
Commodore, Tallinn Yacht Club

From August 22–24, the Tallinn Yacht Club Cup Regatta took place in Lohusalu for the 25th time, serving simultaneously as the seventh stage of the Garmin Sailing Series.

Launched in 2001, the regatta has grown significantly over the years and has been part of the Estonian Cup Series since 2005. Lohusalu is a highly valued racing venue among sailors – the large offshore waves and strong currents make every race a unique challenge.

This year, Lohusalu Bay once again did not disappoint, offering highly varied conditions throughout the regatta. On Friday, sailors could not go to sea due to lack of wind and had to settle for “topping up their vitamin D” on shore. Saturday started promisingly, but by the time the sailors reached the racecourse, they could only admire their reflections on the water. After some waiting, patience, and hesitation under the threat of thunderstorms, the wind suddenly arrived out of nowhere, blowing at times up to 8–10 m/s. Although the shifting and uneven wind seriously tested both skills and attentiveness, most fleets managed to complete a solid day of racing. On Sunday, rain added to the shifty wind, creating extremely challenging conditions, especially for the race committee. Nevertheless, the necessary races in all classes were completed. At the closing ceremony, regatta organizer Ott Kallas remarked that in his 25 years in Lohusalu, he could not recall such challenging organizational conditions. A salute to the race officials.

The success of the regatta was made possible not only by the sailors and coaches but also by the members and parents of Tallinn Yacht Club, who supported both as race officials and as helpers on shore. Club members and guests could also follow the racing either from their own yachts or from committee boats. Meanwhile, a cozy outdoor café in the green area of the marina offered a pleasant stopover and atmosphere during the event.

Tallinn Yacht Club Sailing School athletes delivered a strong performance, stepping onto the podium 17 times across different classes and age groups.

RESULTS: Manage2Sail link

ILCA 6: 35 competitors (11 TJK)
Women

• 2nd Eliise Raamat
• 3rd Karmel Elis Purje (2nd U21 Girls, 2nd U19 Girls)
• 4th Katarina Sofia Jõgi (3rd U21 Girls)

Men

• 3rd Raul Ottesson (2nd U19 Boys)

ILCA 7: 10 competitors (1 TJK)
U21

• 1st Remy Tupits (3rd overall)

RS Feva (13 boats)

• Karl Juul & Miroslav Dragunov – 6th overall
• Nora Mai Shein & Lene Jõevere – 7th overall

29er: all 5 boats from TJK

• 1st Eva-Lotta Soomer & Albert Kepp
• 2nd Johanna Koit & Iiris Liira (1st Girls)
• 3rd Ann Carolin Victoria Vürst & Grete Kant
• 4th Mattias Loitmaa & Sebastian Mee
• 5th Tanel Tammik & Mihkel Joosep Ruut

49er/FX: all 6 boats from TJK

• 1st Helen Pais & Helen Ausman (1st 49erFX)
• 2nd Maru Reiter & Kaur Villem Väiku
• 3rd Mari-Ann Holter & Maris Seersant (2nd 49erFX)
• 4th Tõnis Haavel & Lenart Kivistik (3rd 49erFX)
• 5th Maria Aleksandra Vettik & Juta Koov
• 6th Bert Seersant & Mona Roosmann

Photo albums:

• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3
• Prizegiving

The packed season leaves little time for rest, as today already the Estonian Championships, organized by Kalev Yacht Club, begin in Tallinn Bay, where our sailors will compete in the ILCA 4, Zoom8, Optimist, and 29er classes.

Our club will host the next major regatta, Tallinn Week, at Haven Kakumäe on September 19–21. The event will feature ILCA 6, ILCA 7, and RS Aero in singlehanded classes; RS Feva, 29er, 49er, and 470 in doublehanded classes; and iQFoil windsurfing. Tallinn Week will also serve as the Estonian Championships for ILCA 6, ILCA 7, RS Feva, and iQFoil, and as the Finnish Championships for the 29er class.

Text: Brigita Sepp

On Saturday, July 26, the Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championships, organized by the Tallinn Yacht Club, concluded at Haven Kakumäe Marina. The event brought together over 300 young sailors and at least as many supporters. Over four days, athletes under the age of 19 from eight countries – Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia – competed in five boat classes: Optimist, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, Zoom8, and 29er.

The arrival of warm summer weather allowed for a wide range of sailing conditions, from light winds to strong, gusty breezes under rainclouds. This provided a real challenge for the sailors and an opportunity to put their skills to the test. Most classes completed a solid 8 races, while the speedy 29ers managed 12 races, which determined the championship titles.

Estonian youth sailors showed a strong level of performance, proudly raising the Estonian flag on the podium multiple times. The Nordic Championship titles in the Optimist class were won by Danish sailors in both the boys’ and girls’ categories. In both ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 boys’ divisions, Finnish sailors took the top spots, while the girls’ podiums in both classes were dominated entirely by Estonian athletes from the Pärnu and Tallinn Yacht Clubs. In the Optimist Team Race boys’ division, Estonian sailors earned silver medals.

Results:
https://www.manage2sail.com/et-EE/event/JNoM2025#!/results?classId=Ilca4

According to TJK Commodore Harri Mikk, the regatta was a historic event:
“This was the largest international youth sailing competition in Estonia in the past decade. Our goal was to provide young athletes with a high-level regatta experience – both on the water and on shore – and the feedback has been exceptionally positive.”

The regatta village set up at Haven Kakumäe made the event memorable for everyone at the marina. There were live broadcasts of the races, as well as opening and closing ceremonies, catering for the athletes, and various entertainment activities. Through social media and on-site screens, the excitement of the regatta reached an even broader audience on shore.

The event’s title sponsor was the internationally renowned sailing brand Zhik, whose apparel is worn by both Olympic sailors and rising youth talents. Company representative Johannes Polgar confirmed that the regatta held in Estonia was exemplary in both standard and organization.

At the closing ceremony, the baton was passed to the next host country – Sweden – where the teams will meet again in 2026.

Tallinn Yacht Club thanks all supporters and partners who contributed to the success of this top-tier regatta:
Tallinn – European Capital of Sport 2025, Estonian Cultural Endowment 100, Haven Kakumäe, Liviko, Websystems, Tallink, Nautical Store, Café Ankur, Boost Juice, TommyLyy Boat Shop, Duco Hotels, Metropol Hotel, Estonian Sailing League, Pärnu Yacht Club, Tilgu Marina Yacht Club, Kalev Yacht Club, Rocca al Mare School, as well as numerous private sponsors and volunteers.

The Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championships 2025 reaffirmed that Estonia is fully capable of hosting international sporting events at the highest level – inspiring, uniting, and nurturing future champions.

Photos and videos:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UgvEBn6su2DpX4DTJKAmQXeWimuWWnZs?usp=sharing

Text: Brigita Sepp

Dear Club Members and Supporters,

We warmly invite you to take part in the Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championships, taking place from 22–26 July at Haven Kakumäe Marina.

📍 The Opening Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, 22 July at 19:00 – you are welcome to cheer on the athletes and celebrate the start of this international regatta together with our guests and partners.

⛵ The racing days will run from 23–26 July, featuring over 300 young sailors from eight Nordic countries competing in the classes Optimist, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, Zoom8, and 29er. This is the most important youth sailing event of the year in our waters – and spectators can enjoy the action both from shore and at sea. The first races are scheduled to start at 11:00.

🌟 A special nation vs. nation format will captivate spectators on Friday, 25 July, during the thrilling and easily viewable Optimist Team Race – a team competition that offers excitement for sailing enthusiasts and marina visitors alike.

🎥 In the Regatta Village, visitors can enjoy a large screen broadcasting photos and videos from the races, with occasional live streams and interviews with sailors and coaches – allowing everyone to experience the regatta even from land.

Come and support young athletes as we celebrate sailing, international sport, and Estonia’s rich maritime culture!

📎 Regatta website: https://tjk.ee/regatid/pohjamaade-noorte-purjetamise-meistrivoistlused

See you at Kakumäe!
Tallinn Yacht Club

The Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championships are supported by Tallinn – European Capital of Sport 2025, Estonian Cultural Endowment 100, Haven Kakumäe, Liviko, Websystems, Tallink, Nautical Store, Café Ankur, TommyLyy Boat Shop, Duco Hotels, Metropol Hotel, Estonian Yachting Union, Pärnu Yacht Club, Tilgu Marina Yacht Club, Kalev Yacht Club, and Rocca al Mare School.

An integral part of the Tallinn Maritime Days, the Tallinn Race once again brought sailing right into the heart of the city, next to the quay at the Seaplane Harbour, offering a spectacular regatta and summer atmosphere for both sailors and spectators. A thorough sports commentary on the event attracted an audience to the balcony, many of whom were witnessing a sailing competition for the first time.

The regatta, held annually since 2010, was this year also part of the Tallinn – European Capital of Sport 2025 program and brought together 102 athletes in seven boat classes, including the Olympic class 49er, with Estonian brothers Juuso and Henri Roihu among the competitors. In the 29er class, two teams from neighboring Finland took part, while RS Tera Pro sailors invited their friends from Ukraine to join.

An exciting format divided the regatta into separate daily competitions, with the best of each day determined individually. The daily results contributed to the overall standings, and the winner of the final race on the last day was also declared the overall winner of the regatta. The remaining results, starting from second place, were calculated by summing up the final results from all competition days.

The unpredictable Estonian summer tested even the most patient athletes. On the first day of the event, July 11, a storm that swept across Estonia — with strong wind and rain — made it impossible to hold any races. Despite the eagerness to get on the water, both athletes and organizers had to remain patient.

The second day started with a thunderstorm in the morning, but by race time, the weather had calmed to a gentle breeze with summer warmth. Two qualifying races were held in both the morning and afternoon sessions, which determined the day’s best performers.

On the third and decisive day, Tallinn showcased its full summer glory — with sunshine and steady sailing winds that allowed the full race schedule to be completed. Each class had three qualifying races and one final race, the results of which determined the final standings both for the day and the overall regatta.

A festive finale on the Maritime Days main stage.
Tallinn Race 2025 ended on a high note — the awards ceremony took place on the main stage of the Tallinn Maritime Days, where athletes were greeted with applause, sunshine, and festival visitors. Special thanks were given to all race officials and volunteers who contributed significantly to the regatta’s success.

RESULTS:

49er (all athletes from Tallinn Yacht Club)

1. Tõnis Haavel & Lenart Kivistik
2. Juuso Roihu & Henri Roihu
3. Maru Reiter & Kaur Villem Väiku

49erFX (all athletes from Tallinn Yacht Club)

1. Mari-Ann Raud & Maris Seersant
2. Maria Aleksandra Vettik & Juta Koov

29er (all athletes from Tallinn Yacht Club)

1. Ann Carolin Vürst & Grete Kant
2. Eva Lotta Soomer & Albert Kepp
3. Johanna Koit & Iiris Liira

RS Feva

1. Helena Lee Kangur & Jakob Laur Areda (Kalev Yacht Club Sailing School)
2. Elle Marie Kangur & Marleen Poolamets (KJK)
3. Kiur Arro & Kimmo Kalle (Saaremaa Sailing Academy)

RS Aero 6

1. Andres Haavel (Saaremaa Maritime Sports Society)
2. Rein Raud (Kalev Yacht Club)
3. Rait Rand (Saaremaa Maritime Sports Society)

RS Aero 5

1. Jessika Jõesaar (Hara Sailing Society)
2. Kirke Külmsaar (Hara Sailing Society)
3. Jorgen Kuivonen (Hiiu Sailing Association)

RS Tera Pro

1. Oleksandr Chykalov (Ukraine)
2. Yevhenii Kuzmenko (Ukraine)
3. Yaroslava Slobodian (Ukraine)

Optimist

1. Rasmus Loitmaa (Tallinn Yacht Club Sailing School)
2. Vesse Uudan (Pärnu Yacht Club Sailing School)
3. Magda Matsulevitš (Tallinn Yacht Club Sailing School)

Full results: https://manage2sail.com/et-EE/event/TallinnRace#!/results?classId=245580d8-4d58-4196-ae5a-710403a8fdc2

Photo gallery from the regatta is available on the Tallinn Yacht Club Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/tallinnajahtklubi/

Text by Brigita Sepp

Tallinna Yacht Club brings one of the biggest sports events of the summer to Haven Kakumäe – 300 young sailors expected at the Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship, plus just as many supporters on shore!

The 2025 Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship will take place from 21st – 26th July under the leadership of Tallinna Yacht Club (TJK) at one of the most modern harbours on the Baltic Sea – Haven Kakumäe (https://havenk.com/).

This year’s regatta will be the largest of its kind ever hosted in Tallinn, welcoming around 300 youth sailors under the age of 19 from eight Nordic sailing nations: Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. In addition to the athletes, over 300 supporters – coaches, parents and friends – are expected to attend. With five youth boat classes represented (Optimist, ILCA4, ILCA6, Zoom8 and 29er), this will be one of the most widely attended Nordic Youth Championships in the last decade.

The title sponsor of this year’s championship is Zhik, a globally respected sailing apparel and gear manufacturer from Australia, whose innovative products are trusted by both young athletes and top professionals around the world.

“For Zhik, being a title sponsor is not just about logo visibility – we want to be true partners, contributing meaningfully to the development of young sailors. We believe that ‘Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship’ not only sounds professional, but also helps elevate the quality and visibility of the regatta,” said Johannes Polgar, representative of Zhik.

To bring the event atmosphere alive, a dedicated regatta village will be built at Haven Kakumäe, featuring:

• Opening and award ceremonies
• Catering and entertainment for athletes
• Large-screen live race broadcasts, providing a thrilling experience for spectators on shore – even for those new to sailing

The regatta will also be covered extensively on social media in a youth-friendly format, with live coverage streamed from the water to the shore.

“This regatta is more than just a competition – it’s the starting line for Olympic dreams,” said TJK Commodore Harri Mikk.
“Olympian Karl-Martin Rammo, who competed in four Olympic Games in the ILCA7 class, began his journey in youth classes like Optimist, Zoom8 and ILCA. Likewise, TJK athletes Anna Pohlak (ILCA6), and Anna-Maria Sepp & Kätlin Tammiste (49erFX) have proudly represented Estonia at the Olympics.”

As the largest youth sailing academy in Estonia with over 150 sailors, Tallinna Yacht Club is proud to host such a prestigious international regatta for its own youth. Among them are Helen Pais and Helen Ausman, current members of the “Young Talents to the Olympics” program, who gained their first international experience at the Nordic Youth Championships.

“We’re grateful to TJK for creating an environment where young sailors can thrive in international competition. Competing at this level, in home waters, is an invaluable experience on the road to the Olympics,” said Helen Pais and Helen Ausman.

While the Nordic Youth Championships have historically focused on the strong Optimist fleet, this year’s standout feature is the impressive number of entries in the ILCA4 and ILCA6 classes – key Olympic development categories. In the double-handed 29er class, teams from three countries will compete, providing an important testing ground for those aspiring to move into the Olympic 49er/FX classes. Additionally, Zoom8 sailors will compete for medals awarded by TJK.

Racing will take place on two separate courses, both clearly visible from the long breakwater at Kakumäe. Everyone is invited to enjoy the international sailing spectacle at the regatta village and cheer for their home teams!

We are extremely grateful to the supporters and partners who have already made significant contributions to this event: Zhik, Tallinn – European Capital of Sport 2025, the Estonian Cultural Endowment, Liviko, Haven Kakumäe, Tallink, Metropol Hotel, Duco Hotels, and several private sponsors.

Regatta info: https://tjk.ee/en/regatid/nordic-youth-sailing-championship/

About Zhik

Founded in Australia, Zhik is a dynamic apparel brand at the forefront of innovation, redefining performance gear for sailors since 2003. Known for revolutionising wetsuits and dinghy gear, Zhik has expanded into yachting, paddling, water sports, and outdoor lifestyle apparel. 

Trusted by Olympic and World Champions, including Marit Bouwmeester, Diego Botin & Florián Trittel, Pete Burling & Blair Tuke, Richard Schultheis, Jacob Pye and Hattie Rogers, Zhik is the official supplier to multiple Olympic teams and SailGP squads. The brand also supports elite campaigns like Yoann Richomme’s IMOCA Paprec Arkéa Vendée Globe challenge. 

For more information about Zhik and its products, visit www.zhik.com.

#made for water

tekst: Brigita Sepp

On May 3rd, TJK members and the board gathered for the General Assembly, which covered the following agenda items:

1. Review of activities in 2024
2. Approval of the 2024 financial report
3. Presentation of the club’s and sailing school’s plans for 2025
4. Admission of new members
5. Distribution of team clothing to club team members
6. Presentation of club flags to flag harbours

The General Assembly reflected on the achievements of 2024 – well-attended club evenings, successful regattas, and the solid progress of the sailing school demonstrated that club life is more active than ever. The previous year’s financial report was approved, and attention was turned toward the future – an exciting and eventful season lies ahead.

We recognize Andrus Poksi, who in November 2024 became the first Estonian elected to the World Sailing Council. His decades-long contribution to the development of sailing in Estonia and internationally – including as a judge at Olympic regattas and in building the system of race officials – serves as an inspiration to our entire club and the Estonian sailing community.

Also worth highlighting is TJK Sailing School, which was recognized as the best sailing school of 2024 according to the Estonian Yachting Union’s performance rankings. Operating in Kakumäe, Pirita, and Lohusalu, the school offers young sailors a strong training environment, top-level coaches, and a platform to pursue a sporting career. To support the continued development of dinghy sailing, the club helped the school acquire one 49erFX and three 29er class boats this year. The school’s main goal is to develop both single-handed and double-handed sailing equally, giving young sailors the chance to discover the sailing discipline that suits them best.

During the General Assembly, the 2025 club team members were announced and outfitted in new team uniforms. These young athletes will proudly represent us in both domestic and international competitions.

TJK Sailing Team 2025:
Eva-Lotta Soomer, Joanna Ojala, Victoria Sophia Riikoja, Mari Ottesson, Lilian Marie Miller, Kertu Külaots, Katariina Roihu, Remy Tupits, Sten Martin Strand, Eliise Raamat, Tihon Žutskov, Maritta Kiviselg – Marietta Mõtlik, Maria Aleksandra Vettik – Juta Koov, Johanna Koit – Iiris Liira, Helen Ausman – Helen Pais, Maru Reiter – Kaur Villem Väiku

The highlight of the 2025 season will undoubtedly be the Nordic Youth Sailing Championships, which our club will host July 21–26 at Haven Kakumäe. Between 200–300 sailors are expected to compete in the Optimist, Zoom8, ILCA4/6, RS Feva, and 29er classes. Traditional regattas will also continue – the Kakumäe GP Series, Tallinn Race in Seaplane Harbour, Tallinna Jahtklubi Cup in Lohusalu, Tallinn Week in Kakumäe, and the Thursday Series for offshore yachts.

The most anticipated summer event for our members will surely be the beloved Squadron Sail, taking place July 17–20, offering visits to harbours and adventures all along the coastline.

2025 Squadron Sail Schedule and Route:

• July 17: Arrival in Hanko at 15:00, flag ceremony at 17:00
• July 18: Hanko – Högsåra (24 nm)
• July 19: Högsåra – Airisto (23 nm)
• July 20: Airisto – Naantali (19 nm)

An additional stopover will take place on July 16 at the Peek family’s private harbour on Lindudd, Orslandet island.
Registration for the Squadron Sail is open until May 31: https://tjk.ee/toode/eskaadrisoit-2025/

Club flags were ceremoniously presented to our flag harbours – Lohusalu, Old City Harbour, and Grand Holm Marina, symbolizing unity, cooperation, and shared maritime values.

The day transitioned from the official agenda to a more relaxed setting at Puri Restaurant, where one of the day’s most ceremonial moments took place – the changing of the commodore. Valdo Kalm officially handed over the role to Harri Mikk. The transition followed good club tradition – with honour, gratitude, a touch of nostalgia, and eyes set on the future.

The TJK “Mile Skipper” Challenge Trophy goes to solo sailor Anna-Liisa Talts, who logged 6,500 nautical miles in 2024. We wish her success in the Mini Transat 2025 regatta.

Our heartfelt thanks go to all club members, staff, sponsors, parents, volunteers, and board members for their continued support!

The indoor proceedings concluded with a flag-raising ceremony at the club square. Young sailors Lennart Labe, Karmel Elis Purje, Mihkel Joosep Ruut, and Tanel Tammik raised the club flag together with outgoing commodore Valdo Kalm and new commodore Harri Mikk, while Ott Kallas said opening words to the first regatta of the season.

Although the weather was sunny, strong winds and ice-cold water temperatures kept the eager young sailors onshore for safety. But on Sunday morning, after some waiting, the wind returned, and 50 young sailors finally headed out to sea with smiling faces. The first start of the season was successfully launched.

Winners:

• Optimist: Ramses Tupits
• Zoom8: Katariina Matsulevitš
• ILCA 4: Markus Karuse
• ILCA 6: Karmel Elis Purje
• RS Feva: Maritta Kiviselg & Marietta Mõtlik
• 29er: Johanna Koit & Iiris Liira
• 49er: Maru Reiter & Kaur Villem Väiku

Season Opening Regatta results

See you at sea and in the harbours!

Photos by Tiit Aunaste on Facebook
Text: Brigita Sepp

Dear Members of Tallinn Yacht Club,

I invite you to the club’s general meeting and season opening, which will take place in the Haven Kakumäe seminar room on May 3rd at 12:00.
It is recommended to attend the season opening in formal club attire or clothing with club symbols.

Season Opening Schedule:
12:00 General meeting in the seminar room
13:00 Commodore change ceremony, welcome drink, and snacks at Restaurant Puri
14:00 Hoisting of the club flag at the flag square and opening of the season regatta

General Meeting Agenda:
– Overview of 2024 activities
– Approval of the 2024 financial report
– Presentation of the 2025 plans for the club and sailing school
– Welcoming new members
– Distribution of sailing team uniforms
– Handover of flags to flag harbors

Participation Fee & Registration:
The participation fee for active members is €25, payable upon registration in our online store: https://tjk.ee/toode/tallinna-jahtklubi-uldkoosolek-ja-hooaja-avamine-tjk-season-opening-2025/
Junior members participate for free, and registration is done via email at ott@tjk.ee
Registration is open until May 1st.

Looking forward to seeing you at the TJK Season Opening!
Valdo Kalm
Commodore, Tallinn Yacht Club

On November 14, Restaurant Puri hosted TJK’s active and junior members for a delightful dinner, celebrating the highlights and achievements of the 2024 season.
After posing for photographer Tiit Aunaste in front of the photo wall and reminiscing about summer events, it was time to move on to the formal part of the evening.
Commodore Valdo Kalm reflected on the season’s highlights, which included engaging club evenings, Kakumäe GP stages, the TJK Cup series, the squadron sail, small craft operator and SRC radio communication training, a maritime rescue course, and the launch of Thursday races for offshore yachts. It was an eventful and diverse season.
Ott Kallas then presented an overview of the club’s budget.

Maris Seersant, the director of TJK Sailing School since 2024, announced the Junior Sailors of the Year, who were Mari Ottesson and Remy Tupits from the ILCA boat class. Maris also provided an update on the activities of the sailing school, which, in addition to winter camps, competitions, and training sessions, introduced a cycling camp that immediately became popular among young sailors.

The major event of the 2025 season will be the Nordic Youth Sailing Championships, organized by Tallinn Yacht Club from July 21-26. Other key events will include the squadron sail, Kakumäe GP stages, major regattas at Lennusadam, Lohusalu, and Kakumäe, trainings, Thursday races, and club evenings.
The sailing school’s season will kick off in December, when young sailors head to Vilamoura for a training camp.
Guest speaker Rait Killandi introduced Trossi maritime assistance, emphasizing the importance of considering maritime safety before setting sail, rather than when in distress.
The evening concluded with the lowering of the club flag, led by the commodore and vice commodores.

Since no club or sailing school can function without the active participation of dedicated members, parents, and supporters, it was time to acknowledge and thank them.
Acknowledgements:
For supporting the yacht club and sailing school: Liviko, NG Investeeringud, Jüri Käo, Armin Karu, Egon Mats, Raivo Kütt.
For supporting the yacht club: Websystems, Mart Hirtentreu, Margus Mets, Rait Killandi, Mairold Metsaviir, Valdo Kalm.
For supporting regattas and the sailing school: Haven Kakumäe, Tallinn Culture and Sports Department, Lääne-Harju Municipality, Omaraamat, Peep Roosmann, Brigita Sepp, Lenart Kivistik.
For supporting the sailing school: Annika Tallinn, Jüri Kuusk, Triin Sepp, Eva-Liisa Niit, Silver Tiido, Andres Juul, Sven Karuse, Lauri Labe, Raul Koov, Riho Purje.
For supporting regattas: Tallinn SAR, Veiko Pedosk, Anneli Taal, Laur Kelder, Tarmo Idarand, Eero Link, Tallinn Maleva Sea Scouts, Anu Reiman, Märt Pais, Margit Kangur, Aleksander Strand.
For teaching junior sailors: Priit Rüttel, Eliise Raamat, Johanna Kažjava, Aleksander Kuusik, Mona Roosmann, Maria Veessaar, Maris Seersant.

Tallinn Yacht Club Season Overview:

The club’s year kicked off with traditional club evenings. On January 18, members met the yacht Picasso as Captain Veiko and Captain Anneli shared their experiences from two years of sailing the world’s oceans – covering sailing conditions in different regions, storm strategies, bureaucratic requirements, proven technical solutions, security concerns, and much more.
On April 25, members gathered at Niguliste Museum, where the evening began with organ music. Museum director Tarmo Saaret introduced the permanent exhibition and the display “There and Back. Livonian Pilgrimages in Medieval Europe”, followed by a glass elevator ride to the church tower for breathtaking views of Tallinn.
On May 4, the club held its general meeting, where Armin Karu passed the role of commodore to Valdo Kalm. The club flag was raised at Haven Kakumäe, and the season-opening regatta was launched. The Miilikippar Challenge Trophy was awarded to Veiko Pedosk, and the club’s honorary medal was presented to Karl-Martin Rammo for his Olympic qualification. The two-day opening regatta featured 55 sailors.
The squadron sail visited Kelnase, Hara, and Viinistu harbors, with 15 boats and 39 participants. Evenings featured lively gatherings, including: Prangli Island, hosted by the Karupesa family, Hara Harbor, with an official squadron opening ceremony led by harbor captain Tarvi Velström, followed by dinner with DJ Tom Lilienthal, Viinistu, where Jaan Manitski introduced his art museum, followed by a harbor restaurant dinner.

The club organized three international regattas: Tallinn Race (July, Lennusadam) during Tallinn Maritime Days and Tall Ships Races, Tallinn Yacht Club Cup (August, Lohusalu), Tallinn Week Regatta (September, Haven Kakumäe). To enhance club-level racing, Kakumäe GP stages for 29er, 49er, and ILCA dinghies, as well as Thursday offshore yacht races, were held throughout the season. Next year, the club will host the Nordic Youth Sailing Championships in the last week of July at Haven Kakumäe.

On September 19, a club evening at Kumu Museum featured curator Inga Jaagus, who introduced the exhibition “History and Mysticism: Latin American Art and Europe”, covering art from the 17th-19th century Spanish colonial era and 20th-century Latin American modernists.

In early November, at the World Sailing Annual Conference in Singapore, former commodore Andrus Poksi was appointed as the first Estonian council member. Andrus has been an international judge since 2005, serving on Olympic regatta juries in London (2012), Rio (2016), Tokyo (2021), and Paris (2024). He has contributed significantly to the development of competition officials and sailing regulations in Estonia and is regarded as one of the world’s leading sailing experts.

TJK Sailing School operates in Kakumäe, Pirita, and Lohusalu, educating about 150 young sailors. This year, it introduced two multi-day sailing clinics and added one 49erFX and three 29er boats to its fleet.

The club conducted small craft operator and SRC radio communication courses in spring and autumn at Haven Kakumäe, along with practical sailing sessions.

Facebook post with photo gallery: Link
Text: Brigita Sepp & Ott Kallas