Sail Number: FIN-6
Vessel Type: 8mR
LOA: 49’2″ / 14.99m – LOD: 49’2″ / 14.99m – LWL: 30’11” / 9.44m – Beam: 8’0″ / 2.44m – Draft: 6’6″ / 2.00m – Displacement: 8.7 tons – Sail Area: 818 sq ft / 75.99m² – Original Name: – Original Owner: Arthur E. Nikander, Commodore of the Helsinki Seal Society 1933-1937 – Year Launched: 1943 – Designed by: Birger Slotte – Built by: Wilenius Båtvarv, Borgå – Hull Material: Honduras mahogany – Port of Registry: HSS Helsinki
Historical:
Vågspel was one of the last 8mR boats built in Finland. Designed by Birger Slotte and built by the Wilenius Båtvarv boat yard in Porvoo during the Finnish continuation war against the Soviet Union.
Vågspel was built for Arhur E. Nikander, who had originally ordered the boat for the planned summer Olympics in Helsinki in 1940. Due to the war, the building was delayed and the boat was ready for the HSS 50th anniversary in 1943. Vågspel has participated in regattas in Finland and Sweden throughout its existence. The boat has been in Finnish ownership, except for a short period in the 60’s when the boat was bought to Sweden.
Vågspel is a unique Nordic eight that has been preserved to her original design, including a wooden rig, deck plan and a great deal of her original fittings.
Vågpel’s racing successes, include the Sandhamn Coppa d’Italia victory in 1950 and the Helsinki Sinebrychoff Cup in 1946, against the notable challenger Sphinx.
Provenance (The Wall of Remembrance – The Owners, Crew & Notable Guest):
Owner/Guardian: (1943-1949) – Arthur E. Nikander
Owner/Guardian: (1949-1953) – Björn Strandell (NJK Helsingfors)
Owner/Guardian: (1953-1958) – Alec Shaw (NJK Helsinki)
Owner/Guardian: (1958-1961) – Johan Gullichsen, Kristian Gullichsen, Georg Ehrnrooth & Gustav Donner (NJK Helsinki)
Owner/Guardian: (1961-1964) – Harry Unonius (NJK Helsinki)
Owner/Guardian: (1964-) – Gustaf Donner (NJK Helsinki)
Owner/Guardian: (1994-1996) – Marinette, Carina & Robert Donner (NJK Helsinki)
Owner/Guardian: (1996-2002) – Carina & Robert Donner (NJK Helsinki)
Owner/Guardian: (2002-Current) – Kim Weckström (HSS Helsinki)