Travels and Stories
s/y Anya
Voyage
Adventure
Cruise
Anya is a meticulously designed vessel that offers a safe and comfortable sailing experience on all seas worldwide, including its home waters in the beautiful archipelago of South West Finland. With a strong emphasis on safety, Anya boasts exceptional features that were carefully considered during the design phase. Whether with a small crew or even single-handedly, the vessel is easily navigable. Anya has earned a reputation for embarking on thrilling adventures and captivating voyages, spanning from the northern reaches of Barents Sea to the lush river jungles of Latin America, and countless other remarkable destinations in Sea between.
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Atlantic Crossing ARC 1999
The ARC is a renowned event that attracts numerous sailors, with over 200 boats and 1200 participants sailing 2700 NM across the Atlantic from Gran Canary Island to Saint Lucia each year. Following the historical route of Christopher Columbus, the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) competition holds great appeal for sailing enthusiasts.
Upon completion and successful test sailing in home waters, Anya embarked on a global journey. Her initial route took her through England and Portugal before reaching the Canary Islands, where she faced her first significant challenge: the ARC sailing competition across the Atlantic. In 1999, more than 20 countries were represented by 237 vessels in this highly anticipated event.
The primary objective of the competition is to cross the Atlantic in the fastest time possible, utilizing sails, motor, or both. Although Anya crossed the finishing line in second place during the ARC competition, the final ranking was influenced by various classes and calculated handicaps, resulting in a lower overall position. Nevertheless, the experience proved to be a magnificent adventure for all involved.
Rio Orinoco, 2000
After sailing in the Caribbean, s/y Anya embarked on a journey to Venezuela and Rio Orinoco. This expedition took the vessel and its crew from Tobago to Rio Orinoco and deep into the heart of Venezuela, reaching the town of Ciudad Guayana located amidst the jungle. The distance covered was approximately 400km from the city to the coast.
The vessel's ultimate destination was the Angel Falls, renowned for its awe-inspiring height surpassing that of any other waterfall in the world. With a breathtaking free fall of nearly one kilometer, measuring 980 meters, it stands as a remarkable natural wonder. While the journey primarily involved sailing, the final leg required a plane trip due to the remote location of the waterfall deep within the jungle.
The objective was to explore the waters and sail upstream along the Rio Orinoco, venturing as far as reliable sailing information would allow. The challenge arose from the lack of sailing guidebooks specifically addressing navigating the river itself, as most resources focused solely on the Venezuelan North Coast. In the absence of other options, the crew relied on their intuition and experience to navigate the river, embracing a "look and feel" approach.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the journey was the absence of leisure vessels encountered by the sailors after departing from Tobago. Prior to Anya, only two leisure vessels had been sighted in Ciudad Guayana. This intriguing observation led to the assumption that Venezuelan authorities may have intentionally discouraged sailing activity in the area, likely due to their desire to preserve the untouched and pristine nature of the region.
Surrounded by untouched nature, s/y Anya sailed through a captivating landscape along the river. Amidst the vast jungle, the presence of a few local pole cottages could be spotted at most. Throughout the 400km journey through the jungle, only two villages were marked on the map, indicating the sparse human settlements in the area. The sight of nightly bonfires along the riverbanks provided glimpses into the lives of those living in this remote region. However, the lighters of these fires had departed before the crew reached the shores, leaving behind a world of its own, shrouded in mystery and enchantment.
The North Polar Sea, 2001
The subsequent sailing expedition embarked on a northern trajectory, driven by the ambition to surpass any previous Finnish leisure vessel's northernmost reach. Additionally, the objective was to accomplish a remarkable feat by crossing the 80th latitude.
In early June 2001, the journey commenced from Finland, navigating through the North and Norwegian Seas, eventually arriving at Tromsö. From there, the voyage continued, passing through the Bear Islands en route to Långyearbyen in Spitzbergen, where official arrival notifications were duly submitted.
The sailing adventure persisted, leading Anya to the North Greenland Sea, culminating in an impressive achievement as the vessel reached a remarkable latitude of 80°05' north in the Barents Sea. During this leg, Anya encountered challenging conditions, with fierce winds and rough seas prompting debate among the crew regarding wave heights, estimated to be between 6 to 8 meters. Fortunately, the journey progressed smoothly, devoid of any alarming situations.
All objectives of the voyage were triumphantly realized, marking a significant milestone as the northernmost leisure sailing feat for a Finnish vessel, coupled with the successful crossing of the 80th latitude.
Baltic Sea and Tall Ship Races, 2002 - 2005
For four consecutive years from 2002 to 2005, s/y Anya had the privilege of being docked at its home harbor in Turku, Finland, where it ventured into the familiar waters of the breathtaking Finnish archipelago and the expansive beauty of the Baltic Sea. During this time, the vessel actively participated in various sailing competitions, exploring different regions across the Baltic Sea.
In 2003, Turku proudly served as a host port for the renowned Tall Ships' Race. The Tall Ships Races are exhilarating competitions that showcase sail training "tall ships" - majestic sailing vessels. These races aim to foster international camaraderie and provide young individuals with valuable sailing training. Held annually in European waters, the races consist of two racing legs spanning several hundred nautical miles, with a "cruise in company" event between the legs. Importantly, over half of each ship's crew participating in the races must be comprised of young people.
S/y Anya enthusiastically took part in the Tall Ships Race, sailing from Gdynia, Poland to Turku, Finland. It joined the ranks of many grand square-rigged sailing ships in the competition, and out of more than 100 vessels, Anya successfully crossed the finishing line in 20th place.
In Turku, a competition was held to determine the most beautiful vessel in the entire Tall Ships Race. S/y Anya emerged as the clear winner, securing 203 out of the 620 votes cast, a testament to its captivating charm and elegance.
Santiago de Cuba - Bermuda, 2007
Following a successful period in home waters, the year 2006 was primarily dedicated to preparing s/y Anya for an exciting new voyage across the Atlantic and throughout the Caribbean. Unlike the previous Caribbean adventure headed towards Venezuela, this particular cruise was focused on exploring the enchanting waters surrounding the Bahamas and Bermuda. Considerable time and effort were invested in ensuring that s/y Anya was fully equipped and ready for this memorable journey.
Santiago de Cuba
S/y Anya arrived in Cuba on April 11, 2007. After spending two nights in Old Havana, we flew to Santiago de Cuba, located in the southeastern corner of Cuba. Everything, including flights, hotels, and other arrangements, went according to schedule. The buildings and cars in Old Havana are in a state of severe decay, as can be seen from the accompanying pictures. To the east of Santiago, there is an area called Guantánamo Bay, which belongs to the United States. The port authorities warned us not to approach Guantánamo Bay's naval base within six miles. After undergoing extensive inspections by the authorities, we managed to depart from Santiago de Cuba's marina more or less on schedule. We made sure to maintain a distance of at least six miles from the naval base. There was hardly any wind, but the ocean waves rocked Anya, causing some of the crew members to experience seasickness.
Hogsty Reef
From Cuba, the journey continued through the Bermuda Triangle to Bermuda. Along the way, we also explored a rarity of the Atlantic Ocean – the large coral atoll known as Hogsty Reef. As we approached the atoll, we lowered the sails and started the engine. With great caution, we carefully navigated through the coral formations into the heart of the atoll. Once anchored, we had about 4 meters of water beneath us. The water was naturally crystal clear, and the seabed remained visible throughout. The atoll has a diameter of approximately 10 kilometers and is nearly circular in shape. Surrounding the atoll, the South Atlantic reaches depths of 3-4 kilometers, while the height of the atoll is only a few meters above sea level. According to the nautical charts, there are numerous shipwrecks of cargo and cruise ships around the atoll. Some wrecks are still visible, while others have been claimed by the ocean. The abundance of shipwrecks is primarily due to the fact that they date back to a time before radar or navigation systems were in use.
Bermuda Triangle
The journey of S/Y Anya continued towards Bermuda, traversing the legendary Bermuda Triangle. The sky began to cloud over, and the waves grew larger. We were entering a low-pressure area. The barometer was dropping rapidly, and the waves were rising quickly. According to the weather report, wave heights in the area were reaching 7-8 meters. This storm came as a surprise, as the sailing schedule had been chosen based on the recommendations of sailing guides for the optimal time. However, everything went well. The boat and the crew performed flawlessly. The low-pressure system weakened before reaching Bermuda. We successfully crossed the Bermuda Triangle without any mishaps. We learned that the low-pressure system had caused significant damage along the U.S. East Coast and that this storm was the worst in this region in 20-25 years. Afterward, Anya's journey continued in much calmer conditions. After resupplying in Bermuda, we set course for the Azores and
then Gibraltar.
Bermuda - Azores - Gibraltar, 2007
Azores is an essential base for crossing the Atlantic and one of the most nautical place for ocean sailing. In the harbor, there is the Sport Café, where everyone who crosses the Atlantic must leave either their boat or the flag of their sailing club. Anya did the same, and the flag from Anya's previous Atlantic crossing was also on the wall at Sport Café. Atsorit is a true haven for ocean sailing. The harbor's dock structures are adorned with thousands of stunning paintings created by the crews of various boats. These paintings depict where the boat comes from, where it is headed, maps, routes, crew names, and images of their own boats. They are all magnificent works of art.
Anya's island-hopping voyage (Cuba-Bermuda-Azores) concluded smoothly in Gibraltar. Anya's fourth Atlantic crossing was successfully completed. The final crossing lasted for 31 days.
The Baltic Sea 2008 - 2022
From 2008 to 2022, s/y Anya brought joy to friends and family as it sailed the home waters of South West Finland. During this period, the Captain's attention was primarily focused on various business ventures, which limited their ability to explore the world's waters and seek new adventures. Nevertheless, s/y Anya remained actively used throughout the year, not just during the summer months of the Nordic sailing season but also during the winter. A cherished tradition of December sailing in the Arctic waters became an annual event, offering a remarkable experience of sailing amidst monochromatic sea views and below-zero temperatures.
The Baltic Sea provides an exceptional environment for exploring diverse waters and participating in numerous sailing events and races. A/y Anya has actively engaged in and explored the region as a dedicated player and visitor. When not in active use, the vessel has found a home at the river Aura in the heart of Turku. This strategic location allows city walkers and passers-by to admire the vessel's beauty and learn about its global adventures through an informative display board.
Finland - Mediterranean 2023
In late 2022, preparations commenced for another epic voyage for s/y Anya. This time, the yacht will set sail from its home harbor of Turku, embarking on a remarkable journey towards the waters of the Mediterranean. The planned route encompasses crossing the Baltic Sea, navigating through the renowned Kiel Channel to reach the vast expanse of the North Sea. From there, s/y Anya will gracefully sail along the bustling English Channel, before venturing across the Bay of Biscay. The voyage will continue down the coast of the Iberian Peninsula, leading towards the iconic destination of Gibraltar. These exciting plans promise an exciting journey filled with unforgettable experiences for s/y Anya and its crew.
Upon reaching the Mediterranean, our vessel will dock near the captivating Isle of Mallorca in Palma. Our exciting itinerary includes a comprehensive exploration of the breathtaking views, rich history, and vibrant culture of the coastal countries spanning from Spain, Italy, all the way to Greece. Join us on this unforgettable journey as we immerse ourselves in the wonders of these Mediterranean gems.
Join us here to follow the voyage. By July s/y Anya reached the shores of Spain, and is currently docked in the port of Almerimar.
