Rutgerson test pilot first Swede solo nonstop around the globe
He made it! Our test pilot Anders Eriksson has become the first Swede ever to sail single-handed nonstop around the world without assistance. A fantastic achievement and the ultimate test for Rutgerson’s products!
An injured shoulder stopped his first attempt, but after a few months of rest he set south once more. 26000 nautical miles later, after rounding the three southern capes, our Swedish test pilot Anders Eriksson was back in the northern hemisphere again, on May 3rd he crossed the same longitude he left behind 207 days earlier and became the first Swede ever to sail solo nonstop around the world.
Rutgerson Marin teamed up with Anders Eriksson prior to his departure from Sweden to help equip his steel ketch S/Y Malala, a Swedish built OR40, with some of our deck hardware, including our new ROC Block assortment for big boats.
“We are very grateful for this unique opportunity to test some of our gear in the toughest, most intense, yet realistic way one can think off. A nonstop circumnavigation is the ultimate test for a sailor and his equipment. I really look forward to congratulating Anders in person and take a closer look at our products on board”, says Rutgerson’s Technical Manager Ludvig Hammarberg.
Anders Eriksson is expected to return to Sweden around May 20th. Including the distance from the first attempt he will then have sailed 36 000 nautical miles in less than one year which is more than most boats sail in a life-time. About half that distance has been spent on what is considered to be the roughest waters in the world.
“I enjoyed the solitude in the Southern Ocean very much, but now I look forward see my family and eat my first ice cream in a very long time”, writes Anders Eriksson in an email via satellite. He also tells us that he is pleased with his Rutgerson equipment and have some new product ideas he wants to discuss once back in Sweden, which we off course are very excited to hear more about.
Eriksson’s circumnavigation has been done as part of Longue Route 2018, a French anniversary event organized as a tribute to the pioneers in the very first nonstop solo race around the world 50 years ago, The Golden Globe Race 1968. No outside assistance has been allowed, and besides rain water he has been 100% dependent on the provisions and spares and tools he brought when leaving port seven months ago.
Read more about Anders Eriksson
Malala is a OR39 steel ketch built in Halmstad on the Swedish west coast.
Anders Eriksson is the only Swedish participant in Longue Route 2018.
Rutgerson’s new ROC Block assortment is tested onboard, here used with a clever centre piece allowing the hub of the block to be used as becket.
Classic hatch mounted on Malala’s deck house.
Rutgerson’s rope clutches RC120 gives a firm hold to the halyards on Malala’s main mast.
Mainsheet system with 60mm Triple RAW Block
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He made it! Our test pilot Anders Eriksson has become the first Swede ever to sail single-handed nonstop around the world without assistance. A fantastic achievement and the ultimate test for Rutgerson’s products! An injured shoulder stopped his first attempt, but after a few months of rest he set south once more. 26000 nautical miles …
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He made it! Our test pilot Anders Eriksson has become the first Swede ever to sail single-handed nonstop around the world without assistance. A fantastic achievement and the ultimate test for Rutgerson’s products! An injured shoulder stopped his first attempt, but after a few months of rest he set south once more. 26000 nautical miles …