A. Le Coq 69th Moonsund Regatta concludes with a festive finish in Kuressaare
The exceptionally warm summer evening at Kuressaare Marina was matched by equally warm emotions ashore as the week-long A. Le Coq 69th Moonsund Regatta came to a celebratory close with the prize-giving ceremony for this year’s winners.
A total of 95 boats from Estonia, Latvia and Finland took part in this year’s event, including 82 racing yachts and 13 cruising division boats.
The regatta delivered almost ideal sailing conditions throughout the week. Over seven days, the fleet raced the traditional route from Kärdla to Kuivastu, Kõiguste and Kuressaare, enjoying sunshine, warm summer temperatures and predominantly excellent sailing conditions. The regatta culminated on Friday with the Kuressaare Race, sailed in almost Mediterranean-like conditions.
Overall victories at the A. Le Coq 69th Monsund Regatta went to NICOLE (Latvia) in Alexela ORC I, AMSERV TOYOTA SAILING TEAM in Mount Gay ORC II, FARO in ORC III, LAGLE III in ORC IV, JONNA in the Folkboat class and GUSTL XL in the Dragon class, which returned to the regatta this year after a long absence.
Victory in the ORC III and ORC IV divisions also secured the 2026 Estonian Offshore Sailing Championship titles.
On the final day of racing, the Alexela ORC I and Mount Gay ORC II fleets completed an approximately 21-nautical-mile coastal course around Abruka Island and the Kirjurahu shoals. The ORC III and ORC IV yachts sailed a 15-nautical-mile course in the Virvekuiv area, while the Folkboats and Dragons competed over an 8.2-nautical-mile course.
Alexela ORC I – Latvia’s NICOLE claims overall victory
The final race, the Kuressaare Race, was won by CLEAN ENERGY, helmed by Mati Sepp. Overall regatta leader NICOLE, helmed by Gatis Graudums, finished second, while BERTA, helmed by Hando Sutter, completed the podium.
Although CLEAN ENERGY claimed victory in the final race, it was not enough to overturn NICOLE’s overall lead. Having sailed consistently throughout the week, the Latvian team successfully defended its first-place position to secure overall victory in the A. Le Coq 69th Moonsund Regatta.
The decisive moment came during the penultimate leg from Kõiguste to Kuressaare, when NICOLE was the yacht to finish first and set the time limit for the other boats that didn’t manage to finish within the time limit, encountering highly unpredictable light-air conditions. As a result, NICOLE was the only boat to score in that race, giving the Latvian team the advantage they needed to secure the regatta title.
“We are extremely happy and proud to win this regatta. We enjoyed every day of Muhu Väin Regatta—the weather was fantastic, the sailing conditions were excellent, and the atmosphere both on the water and ashore was simply outstanding,” said Gatis Graudums, skipper of NICOLE.
Overall, CLEAN ENERGY finished second in the regatta, followed by BERTA in third place.
The Alexela ORC I Cruiser Division prize was awarded to BERTA (Elan 380), skippered by Hando Sutter.
Mount Gay ORC II – AMSERV TOYOTA SAILING TEAM adds Moonsund victory to Estonian Championship title
The final race was won by SUGAR, helmed by Sten Christian Taal, followed by SHADOW, skippered by Harles Liiv, while overall regatta leader AMSERV TOYOTA SAILING TEAM, helmed by Margus Zuravljov, crossed the finish line in third place.
Third place in the final race was more than enough for AMSERV TOYOTA SAILING TEAM to secure the overall victory. Sailing with remarkable consistency throughout the week, the team successfully defended its lead from start to finish. This season, the Muhu Väin Regatta victory was added to the 2026 Estonian ORC II Championship title, which the team had already claimed during Baltic Offshore Week.
“Not for a single moment until the very end did it feel like we had the regatta won. We had to stay focused and keep pushing all the time, and that’s exactly what makes Muhu Väin Regatta so special. A huge thank you to all our competitors and to the organizers for an outstanding week,” said Margus Zuravljov.
Overall, SUGAR finished second, while LUMI, helmed by Mart Eensalu, claimed third place after also winning two individual races during the regatta.
The Mount Gay ORC II Cruiser Division prize was awarded to CHANTAL (Mannerberg 31), skippered by Avo Link.
ORC III – FARO claims first Moosund Regatta victory and Estonian Championship title
The final race, the Kuressaare Race, was won by BELLATRIX, helmed by Rauno Pielberg. KATARINA JEE, skippered by Mart Tamm, finished second, while PILOILLERI III, helmed by Anne-Mari Luik, took third place.
Although FARO, skippered by Neeme Külm, crossed the finish line in seventh place in the final race, the team’s consistent performances throughout the week had already built a sufficient advantage to secure both the overall victory at the A. Le Coq 69th Moonsund Regatta and the 2026 Estonian Offshore Sailing Championship title in the ORC III class.
A strong final race also secured KATARINA JEE second place overall, while BELLATRIX completed the regatta in third.
“This year’s Muhu Väin Regatta went extremely well for us. This victory belongs to the whole team, and we are grateful to everyone who supported us throughout the week. We would also like to thank our sponsor Dipperfox, whose support allows us to set ambitious goals and work hard to achieve them,” said Neeme Külm.
For FARO, this marked the team’s first-ever overall victory at the Moonsund Regatta, while simultaneously earning the Estonian Championship title in the ORC III division.
Overall, KATARINA JEE finished second and BELLATRIX third.
ORC IV – LAGLE III claims fourth Moonsund Regatta victory and sixth national title
The ORC IV division belonged to LAGLE III this year. Having already secured the overall victory before the final race, the team elected not to start on Friday, yet still maintained a comfortable winning margin.
The final race was won by VESILEENU, helmed by Imre Marmor. The young crew of LAGLE II, with Karl Koppel at the helm, finished second, while MERILANE, skippered by Raigo Pajula, completed the podium.
Overall victory in both the A. Le Coq 69th Muhu Väin Regatta and the 2026 Estonian Offshore Sailing Championship therefore went to LAGLE III. For Ülari Velviste and his crew, this was their fourth overall Moonsund Regatta victory and an impressive sixth Estonian Championship title.
“This is already our fourth Muhu Väin Regatta victory, and this year it carries even greater significance because it also brought us the Estonian Championship title. Our goal every season is simple—to come here and win. My sincere thanks go to the entire team, because victories like this are only possible through teamwork,” said Ülari Velviste.
Overall, VESILEENU finished second and MERILANE third.
Folkboat – JONNA returns to the top
The battle in the Folkboat fleet remained wide open until the very final race of the regatta. The Kuressaare Race was won by JONNA, helmed by Mikk Köösel, ahead of CASTOR, skippered by Joosep Laus, while TEELE, with Andres Kõnd at the helm, finished third.
The remarkably close competition was reflected at the finish line, where the top five boats were separated by just two minutes and seven seconds.
Throughout the week, the Folkboat fleet produced some of the closest racing of the entire regatta, with the duel between JONNA and BACCHUS, skippered by Olev Oolup, providing one of the event’s most compelling storylines. Going into the final race, several different podium combinations were still possible, underlining the depth of competition within the class.
By winning the final race, JONNA secured the overall regatta victory, while BACCHUS finished fourth in the last race and ultimately claimed second place overall.
“Going into the final race, at least five boats still had a realistic chance of finishing on the podium. The teams that stayed focused until the very end were the ones who succeeded. That’s exactly what makes the Folkboat class so special,” said Tiit Riisalo of the JONNA crew.
Overall, BACCHUS finished second, and CASTOR completed the podium.
The Best Wooden Folkboat award was presented to TIINA, skippered by Meelis Lindemann.
Dragon – historic return ends with victory for GUSTL XL
One of the most symbolic moments of this year’s Muhu Väin Regatta was the return of the Dragon class after many years away from the event.
Historically, two Dragon yachts were among the original eight boats that competed in the very first Moonsund Regatta, making the class an important part of the regatta’s heritage. This year, that tradition was proudly revived.
The final race, the Kuressaare Race, was won by GUSTL XL, helmed by Rene Treifeldt. UTOPIA, skippered by Indrek Tiits, finished second, while STURIA, with Jaanis Tammelaga at the helm, crossed the finish line in third.
Overall, GUSTL XL claimed victory in the Dragon class thanks to consistently strong performances throughout the week. BOON, helmed by Meelis Kosk, secured second place overall, while TIAMAT, skippered by Kristian Allikmaa, completed the podium.
“Our main goal was to bring the Dragon class back to the Moonsund Regatta and introduce it to today’s offshore sailors. To be honest, we didn’t arrive expecting to win, but in the end we did. Naturally, we’re delighted with the result,” said Rene Treifeldt.
See You at the 70th Anniversary Moonsund Regatta!
The Kalev Yacht Club, organizer of the A. Le Coq 69th Moonsud Regatta, extends its sincere gratitude to all sailors, crews, race officials, volunteers and partners who helped create another memorable week of offshore sailing on Estonian waters.
Special thanks go to the regatta’s title sponsor A. Le Coq, class sponsors Alexela and Mount Gay, and supporting partners Amserv Auto, Alter Marine, Pantaenius, Liviko, DSV, Apotheka and GST Marine, whose continued support helps preserve Estonia’s oldest offshore sailing tradition.
The organizers also thank the municipalities of Hiiumaa, Muhu and Saaremaa, Saarte Liinid, TS Laevad, the harbours of Kärdla, Kuivastu, Kõiguste and Kuressaare, as well as the local yacht clubs and all cooperation partners for their outstanding hospitality and support throughout the week.
Above all, however, the greatest thanks belong to the sailors themselves, whose sportsmanship, determination and enthusiasm continue to define the unique spirit of the Muhu Väin Regatta. It is thanks to them that this remarkable tradition has continued for nearly seven decades.
See you at the A. Le Coq 70th Moonsud Regatta!
Overall podium – A. Le Coq 69th Moonsund Regatta
Alexela ORC I
- NICOLE – X-41 – Gatis Graudums (RSCB, Latvia) – 9 points
- CLEAN ENERGY – E44 – Mati Sepp (Kalev Yacht Club) – 11 points
- BERTA – Elan 380 – Hando Sutter (Kalev Yacht Club) – 17 points
Best Cruiser Division: BERTA – Elan 380 – Hando Sutter (Kalev Yacht Club)
Mount Gay ORC II
- AMSERV TOYOTA SAILING TEAM – First 36.7 mod – Margus Zuravljov (Kalev Yacht Club) – 14 points
- SUGAR – Italia 9.98 Fuoriserie – Sten Christian Taal (Hara Sailing Society) – 16 points
- LUMI – First 34.7 – Mart Eensalu (Kalev Yacht Club) – 20 points
Best Cruiser Division: CHANTAL – Mannerberg 31 – Avo Link (Haapsalu Yacht Club)
ORC III – Estonian Offshore Sailing Championship
- FARO – Ridas 31 – Neeme Külm (Kalev Yacht Club) – 26 points
- KATARINA JEE – Salona 34 – Mart Tamm (Saaremaa Maritime Sports Society) – 37 points
- BELLATRIX – X-99 – Rauno Pielberg (Dago Yacht Club) – 40 points
ORC IV – Estonian Offshore Sailing Championship
- LAGLE III – Finn Express 83 – Ülari Velviste (Haapsalu Yacht Club) – 10 points
- VESILEENU – Polaris – Imre Marmor (Kalev Yacht Club) – 18 points
- MERILANE – Albin Express – Raigo Pajula (Dago Yacht Club) – 28 points
Folkboat
- JONNA – Mikk Köösel (Kalev Yacht Club) – 17 points
- BACCHUS – Olev Oolup (Dago Yacht Club) – 18 points
- CASTOR – Joosep Laus (Saaremaa Maritime Sports Society) – 20 points
Dragon
- GUSTL XL – Rene Treifeldt (Kalev Yacht Club) – 8 points
- BOON – Meelis Kosk (Kõiguste Marina Yacht Club) – 16 points
- TIAMAT – Kristian Allikmaa (Kalev Yacht Club) – 19 points
Results & Media
Official results:
https://www.manage2sail.com/en-US/event/muhuvainaregatt2026#!/results?classId=orc1
Prize giving highlights:
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1JyRrrJdk4
Final race day & prize giving photo allery:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kalevi-jahtklubi/albums/72177720334736884
The A. Le Coq 69th Moonsund Regatta is supported by A. Le Coq, Alexela, Amserv, Alter Marine, Pantaenius, Liviko, DSV, Apotheka, GST Marine, Hiiumaa Municipality, Muhu Municipality, Saarte Liinid and TS Laevad.
Partners: https://muhuvain.ee/en/partners/
The regatta is organized by the Kalev Yacht Club in cooperation with the Estonian Yachting Union.
Regatta photo galleries: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kalevi-jahtklubi/albums
Videos & Interviews: https://www.facebook.com/muhuvainaregatt/reels
Live tracking (TracTrac): https://www.tractrac.com/event-page/event_20260710_ALeCoqMuhu/3563