Zer°emission TP52 is one of the largest sailing boats presented at Helsinki International Boat Show
The handsome Zer°emission TP52 racing boat on display at the Sail Harbour (Purjehdussatama) area at the Helsinki International Boat Show races against the pollution of the seas and increases awareness of the condition, littering and protection of the seas through large-scale events and the actions of the host cities, the public, the partners and the team. The Zer°emission racing boat has been constructed completely from carbon fibre. Vene 20 Båt – Helsinki International Boat Show will be held from 7 to 16 February 2020 at Messukeskus Helsinki.
TP52 is a cutting-edge modern class for a single type of boat that uses the latest innovations in boatbuilding. Zer°emission TP52 is a racing boat built by the America’s Cup team Oracle Racing 2008 and designed by Reichel/Pugh. It is one of the fastest fixed keel racing boats in the world, and it has reached a top speed of over 30 knots. The boat is constructed completely from carbon fibre. It is extremely light, weighing only 7,320 kg when ready to sail. The boat has a total length of 18.5 m, a total width of 4.43 m and a draft of 3.4 m. Thanks to the deep draft, the deck rises at a height of more than 5 m at the Helsinki International Boat Show.
The boat arrived in Finland in March 2019, after which it was completely revamped and overhauled. During the season, the boat participated in seven races. Zer°emission TP52 reached the top speed of 28 knots in the summer of 2019 at the ÅF Offshore Race, better known as Gotland Runt. The team’s best result was silver in the ORC European Championship in Oxelösund, Sweden, in August. The captain of the team is Samuli Leisti, and it includes successful competitive sailors as well as the Finnish actor Mikko Leppilampi.
“Our goal is to increase responsibility and knowledge of the condition of the seas. In connection with the races, we have cleaned up beaches and installed a Seabin floating rubbish bin to clean the waters in the harbour. In addition, we have given talks about the condition of the seas and encouraged people to participate in the ‘race against the littering of the sea’,” Samuli Leisti says.
The visit of the racing boat to the Helsinki International Boat Show is a unique event. After the show, the boat leaves directly to the Mediterranean, where it will participate in the elite ORC competitions as well as several Rolex Cup races. The most well-known keelboats in the world from the modern supermaxis all the way to the classic J boats compete in the Rolex Cup. The main goal of the 2020 season is to participate in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, which starts on 26 December 2020. The boat would be the first to sail under the Finnish flag in the legendary race. The Rolex Sydney Hobart Race is one of the largest sailing events in the world; nearly 800,000 spectators gather to watch the start of the race on site.
Sailing stories, racing news and protecting the Baltic Sea
The visitors of the Helsinki International Boat Show will hear stories about sailing adventures and projects as well as competitive sailing. The Sail Harbour (Purjehdussatama) area gathers sailors together to discuss and plan future sailing trips. The programme at the Sail Harbour has been put together by Samuli Leisti.
The Helsinki International Boat Show has followed the adventures of the sailors Ari Huusela, Tapio Lehtinen, Tuomo Meretniemi and Kari “Ruffe” Nurmi on the seas around the world for many years. This time is no exception. Huusela tells about his past sailing trips and preparations for the Vendée Globe 2020 race, while Lehtinen and Ruffe talk about their sailing trips and new plans. Meretniemi will be contacted via video call, and the visitors will hear about how the family’s voyage is going.
Responsibility and the condition of the Baltic Sea will be highlighted at the Sail Harbour this year, too. The Zer°emission racing boat anchored in the Sail Harbour acts as an example of taking care of the seas. The Save the Baltic Sea prize will be awarded by the Finnish Fair Foundation on 14 February, when topics related to environmental protection will be presented more extensively at the Sail Harbour. The competitive sailing evening will be held on Thursday 13 February 2020.
Both Sundays at the boat show are family days. Moominpappa and Snufkin from the #OURSEA campaign will come to the boat show to entertain the children on the family day on 16 February. Every day, the children will have a chance to sail in a dinghy, while adults can race remote controlled sailing boats.
Charity ticket to the boat show!
This year, the boat show has partnered with the #OURSEA campaign. You can buy an OURSEA ticket to the boat show online in advance; three euros of the ticket price will go to the John Nurminen Foundation to protect the Baltic Sea. In addition to the John Nurminen Foundation, Moomin Characters is also behind the campaign. When purchased in advance, the charity ticket costs 17 euros, and when purchased during the event, it costs 20 euros. It is only available at the online shop http://shop.messukeskus.com
Vene 20 Båt – Helsinki International Boat Show is the largest boating event in Northern Europe. Vene 20 Båt – Helsinki International Boat Show will be held at Messukeskus Helsinki from 7 to 16 February 2020. The event will be open on weekdays 11 a.m.–7 p.m. and on weekends 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Admission tickets can be purchased in advance at http://shop.messukeskus.com Group tickets (min. 10 persons) will cost €10/person when purchased in advance by 6 February (€12/person during the event). The lowest ticket price for adults when purchased in advance is €16 (€19 during the event). Other ticket prices and further information: www.venemessut.fi
Messukeskus organises the Vene 20 Båt – Helsinki International Boat Show on behalf of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat. The event partners include Mercedes-Benz and the #OURSEA campaign.
