
Tapio Lehtinen is a lifetime sailor and
keenly in love with the Oceans of the World.
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's Greetings to Femina Summit Oceans, Lisbon 2020
Don McIntyre talks about Tapio's coming projects
Tapio in a Finnish commercial for Black Horse that manufactures underwear from recycled plastic bottles.
Tapio's Book is Available Now!
For the time being, available only in Finnish.
"Vihdoinkin on tehty todella hyvä suomalainen purjehduskirja – Tapio Lehtisen tarinan sijoittaa mieluusti kirjahyllyyn alan klassikoiden kanssa."
- Aamulehti
"Lehtisen ja Pusan kirja on paljon enemmän kuin vain purjehduskirja, seikkailutarina maailmanympäripurjehduksesta – se on matka yksinpurjehtija Lehtisen sieluun."
- Totalvene.fi
"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
Hear the full story from the man himself!
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

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Tapio participated in our corporate event in the Nuuksio National Park in the middle of the corona year. The theme was "Encountering", and Tapio's attendance led us wonderfully to the right mood. The stunning story about sailing alone around the world, and the importance of nature for the lives of us all, as well as Tapio’s delicate way to be present, really inspired the participants. The positive feedback was enormous.
Linda Capelletti / Sherpa
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Tapio’s touching introduction to the passion for sailing, dreams, and overcoming adversity was a fantastic beginning and tune-up into our staff’s strategy day. I warmly recommend Tapio!
Kirsi Paakkari, Kalevala Koru
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The mythical sea, wild nature, and man - Tapio's vivid description of a unique sea voyage was both amusing and touching. Exactly the right kind of kick-off for our company's inspiration days!
Yrjö Nieminen, Vallilan Vaara oy

Thank you Jane & Don McIntyre, Aida Valcenau, Arnaud Lizop, Katy Stickland, Robert Keil for your visit to Finland and thanks Aida for the very nice video! ... See MoreSee Less
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More news from last friday’s press conference!
Check it out! 😊
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Finnish Round the World Racing tradition continues in the 2023 Ocean Globe Race
oceangloberace.com
Turning the tide for ordinary sailors with a dream
Listen to Riston Valinta (Risto’s choice) and his last episode where he choose to interview Tapio. The interview is in finnish and begins from 28:20, but before that you can listen to beautiful classical music such as Richard Wagner’s Flying Dutchman.
areena.yle.fi/1-62466385?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=areena-ios-share
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Suolapärskeitä ja suvimusiikkia | Yle Areena – podcastit
areena.yle.fi
Selim Palmgren: Suvinen saari (Gabriel Suovanen, baritoni ja Ilkka Paananen, piano) Selim Palmgren: Laiskurin laulu (Petteri Salomaa, baritoni ja Pentti Koskimies, piano) Richard Wagner: Dalandin aari...Riston valinta is a great radio show - and now even better! Must listen this one! 🤗💙
It's best to start around 16 minute mark, as there is some background info and talk about Tapio's book.

Thank you Marko & Team for producing such an amazing video!
I recommend everyone to take a seat, lean back and enjoy this beautiful video. Learn how Tapio describes the word ”aava”.
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Even the cruise ship next to the boat yard announced Asteria’s first take off in three years. It felt good to be back sailing with her again together with Finnlines - Suomi!
#goldengloberace #solocircuminavigation #forthefutureoftheplanet
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Have a great sail! ⛵️☀️
Sail on silver girl 💙
Onnea ja menestystä myös dieselille tällä kertaa. Alku näyttää lupaavalta.
Good luck!
After a very hectic week of preparations with Asteria and Galiana and the Friday International OGR & TLS press conference it as been fantastic to have a relaxing weekend cruise with Galiana in the Helsinki waters between ESF/Pentala and NJK/Kajholmen islands enjoying Jokke Mykkänen’s cuisine in the best company of Aida Valcenau, Romania/France, Jane McIntyre, China/France, Don McIntyre, Australia/France, Katy Stickland, UK, Arnaud Lizop, France, Robert Keil, Germany together with my Galiana team members Pia, Hilla (on loan from Nakamal) and Elia. Life is smiling at us:) ... See MoreSee Less
WOOP WOOP people sailing food fun...wow! thanks Tapio! from Jane and me...superb!!! is an understatement 🙂
Dans notre monde si chaotique , c est l’Arche de Noé pour gens heureux , ton bateau , Tapio ! 😊🙏
Typical singlehander, a Yacht full with girls.😂😅😂😅🥰
Terveiseni sinne teille kaikille!
Aida, je pensais que tu plaisantais. 🙂 Vous êtes si proche ! Venez visiter!!!
This feels really good
Fun fun! 👏
Koe unohtumaton pikkujouluristeily
Lähde tiimisi kanssa virkistävälle pikkujoulupurjehdukselle Tapio Lehtisen klassikkojooli Swan 55 Galianalla – turvallisesti omassa porukassa!