Bring Sverige Home

This story is happening right now. Worth sharing because it touches on how strong the drive is for some people to live their dreams.

Earlier this summer I went to a marina in Norway and saw the iconic sail racer Sverige S3 by the pier. My dear ex, Hanne, and her partner had sent an image of it because it was lying there next to their boat. That 12-metre yacht was built 50 years ago. It was all over the media, and it was one of Sweden’s most recognized sailboats. The story covers one of Sweden’s most recognized yacht designers and champions, Pelle Peterson. It involves the Swedish King and Queen, and it touches on the America's Cup, the most prestigious sail racing competition on the planet.



But the story today is about yachtsman Martin and his dream since he was a little boy –  to one day sail his own 12-metre yacht. Martin is a Norwegian sailing enthusiast, boat fixer and yachtsman. He runs his shipyard MK Boat and his phone is glowing every day from boat owners who need help and have questions.

Martin found the yacht Sverige in Germany. The yacht was ok but pretty worn down. He nagged the owner for six years to buy it. In 2023 they agreed, and he sailed it home from Germany to Norway, and I have seen pictures with them sailing it back with snow on deck, so it was not a sweet ride.



His dream was fulfilled. He sailed his own 12-metre yacht. 



Then this Norwegian enthusiast renovated her into mint condition and brought her back to its original very Swedish design. With deep respect for Pelle Petterson and the yacht’s story.

Yes, Martin is crazy. But he is a true hero for investing so much intention, work, money, time, risk, and anxiety to do what he has done. He also has a big heart and sincerely wants it to belong to Sweden. Sail under the Swedish flag. He has tried to find a new custodian on the other side of the border, as he feels this yacht should be brought back home where it belongs.

A bigger-than-self ambition.

I am a Swedish sailor. My first part-time trainee job at an advertising agency when I was still in high school had SAPA as a client – Skandinaviska Aluminiumprofiler AB. They extruded the mast for Sverige and helped with other aluminium construction issues. My boss at the time, Lennart Hyse, was a photographer, and he involved me in the making of SAPA's brochure – about Sverige!

I called Lennart right after meeting Martin in June this year, and Lennart went to his basement and dug deep into his archives...and sent me a bunch of Sverige images from 1976 and 1980. 



You see? How can I not help Martin bring Sverige home?