The Metre YachtArchive

Vågspel

8mR · FIN 6 · Finland · 1943
Designed by Birger SlotteBuilt by Wilenius Båtvarv, 1943Status Racing internationally

About

One of the last Eight Metres built in Finland — designed by Birger Slotte and launched from Wilenius Båtvarv in Porvoo in 1943, in the middle of the Continuation War. First owned by Arthur E. Nikander, she won the Coppa d'Italia in 1950 with C. Mattson at the helm, and has been campaigned from Helsingfors Segelsällskap in largely original state ever since, racing as FIN 6.

Timeline

  1. 1943
    launch
    Built at Wilenius Båtvarv, Porvoo

    Launched in 1943 during the Continuation War — one of the last Finnish-built Eight Metres. First sail number L-6, first owner Arthur E. Nikander.

  2. 1950
    race
    Won the Coppa d'Italia

    Victory in 1950 with C. Mattson at the helm, owned by B. Strandvall.

  3. 23 August 2026
    race
    5th at the HSS 133 Years Champagne Regatta

    Raced as FIN 6 with Kim Weckström, Helsinki, August 2026.

Names

NameTypePeriodFlag
Vågspel ★current? – presentFinland

Sail numbers

NumberCountryPeriod
FIN 6Finland? – present
L 6FinlandJanuary 1943 – January 1950

Ownership

OwnerPeriodVerification
No ownership records yet.

Regatta record

YearRegattaSail no.SkipperResult
2025International 8 Metre World Cup 2025FIN 6Kim Weckström17th
2025BS Classic Regatta 2025FIN 6Filip Blomquist3rd
2026HSS 133 years Baltic Classic Masters Champagne RegattaFIN 6Kim Weckström5th

Photographs

Vågspel (FIN 6) running under spinnaker off Helsinki, FIN 14 astern.
Vågspel (FIN 6) running under spinnaker off Helsinki, FIN 14 astern.
Per Schjelderup, 2026
Vågspel (FIN 6) under spinnaker with Ilderim (S 16) astern, Baltic Classic Masters Champagne Regatta.
Vågspel (FIN 6) under spinnaker with Ilderim (S 16) astern, Baltic Classic Masters Champagne Regatta.
Per Schjelderup, 2026
Aboard Vågspel between races, Helsinki.
Aboard Vågspel between races, Helsinki.
Per Schjelderup, 2026
Vågspel on a reach, a spinnaker rising astern.
Vågspel on a reach, a spinnaker rising astern.
Per Schjelderup, 2026
Vågspel bow-on through the chop — mahogany on wartime steel frames, still racing.
Vågspel bow-on through the chop — mahogany on wartime steel frames, still racing.
Per Schjelderup, 2026

How do we know this?

Sources create claims; claims may conflict. Curators mark a preferred interpretation (★) without deleting competing evidence.

★ club: Helsingfors Segelsällskap, yard: Wilenius Båtvarv, Porvoo, designer: Birger Slotte, buildYear: 1943, condition: Racing Internationally, firstOwner: Arthur E. Nikander, sailNumber: FIN 6, firstSailNumber: L-6Curator verifiedconfidence 90%
IEMA registry: Vågspel
★ helm: C. Mattson, year: 1950, event: Coppa d'Italia, owner: B. Strandvall, result: 1stCurator verifiedconfidence 80%
IEMA registry: Vågspel
★ club: Helsingfors Segelsällskap, rank: 5, year: 2026, event: HSS 133 years Baltic Classic Masters Champagne Regatta, skipper: Kim Weckström, sail number: FIN 6Authoritativeconfidence 95%
HSS 133 years Baltic Classic Masters Champagne Regatta — 8 Metre results

Sources cited

  • IEMA registry: Vågspel · International Eight Metre Association
    Registry entry: build, designer, yard, first owner, Coppa d'Italia 1950.
  • HSS 133 years Baltic Classic Masters Champagne Regatta — 8 Metre results · manage2sail
    Official published results, 4 races, 8 entries; S 16 Ilderim, Thomas Häggström (KSSS), 6th.