Home - Tapio Lehtinen Sailing

Tapio’s first circumnavigation took place in 1981, as he participated in the Whitbread Round the World Race as the watch captain onboard Skopbank of Finland. The second round was the Golden Globe Race 2018, in which he finished 5th after an arduous journey troubled by thousands of barnacles attached to the bottom of his boat. This achievement, powered by Finnish Sisu, made him the first Finn to have raced single-handed nonstop around the world.

Currently, Tapio is preparing for another solo circumnavigation in the next Golden Globe Race 2022, as well as for the Ocean Globe Race 2023 with a full crew of young sailors. Both these races are sailed with traditional boats and methods: everything based on digital or satellite technology is forbidden except for safety use.

On my voyages around the world, I have witnessed firsthand how nature has changed. The biodiversity has narrowed and continues to do so; there are fewer birds, fewer fish, fewer sea mammals. All the trash in the sea and the smog above the shipping routes are giving a strong signal.

As someone who loves nature and the sea, and also speaking as a grandfather, I want to take action to preserve this beautiful planet for generations to come. In my future projects, I want to work in cooperation with companies and organizations that are part of the solution, not part of the problem. I want to promote innovations, concrete solutions, and ways as to what we can do, to keep our planet clean, diverse, and viable.

We still have time to put it right!

Tapio Lehtinen
tapio.a.lehtinen@gmail.com
+358 40 049 5678

"Pusan ja Lehtisen kirja on mukaansatempaavaa ja upeilla valokuvilla höystettyä luettavaa."
- Iltalehti

"Tapio Lehtinen kiersi yksin maailman meret kirotut barnakkelit riesanaan: seikkailusta syntyi monisärmäinen kirja"
- Helsingin Sanomat

"Kirja on täynnä uskomattomia kertomuksia siitä, miten hän korjasi veneen varusteita, rantautui Tasmaniaan ilman moottoria ja kryssi viikon Uuden Seelannin eteläkärjen kohdalla pääsemättä juurikaan etenemään kohti päämääräänsä."
- Venelehti

Tapio is an inspiring speaker for your event.

A successful career as an Industrial Engineer with experience in strategic planning and leading teams in various organisations. Life-long sailor with two circumnavigations done and two more planned. He’s been around, so to speak. With respect to the current state of the world, Tapio sure knows something about being remote, alone, and isolated.

Always be prepared for the worst. Be scared beforehand, so that you don’t have to be when the going gets tough. Trusting your team, sharing common goals, adapting to new challenges, and finally making your dreams a reality. These are just some of the themes Tapio will be touching on. Not to forget his first-hand experience on the global state of the environment. Tapio has devoted his future to the future of our common planet.

The presentation can be delivered in English, Finnish, or Swedish.

Contact: tapio.a.lehtinen@gmail.com, +358 40 049 5678