The Skipper

A lifelong sailor with deep Scandinavian roots, Pär grew up sailing with his father and began racing Optimists at age 12. His sailing journey took shape early, from joining the Swedish Navy’s youth corps as a teenager to becoming a sailing instructor for teenagers during the summers of 1994–95. He has spent 5–10 seasons sailing in and around Stockholm, further honing his seamanship.

To date, he has logged 5,755 ocean miles, with plans to complete the remaining solo and crewed mileage requirements during summer/autumn 2025 and spring 2026. His current yacht is Lazy Otter, a Rustler 36, which he purchased from seasoned GGR skipper Ertan Beskardes just before beginning refit work in Cherbourg, France. The boat will undergo further upgrades in Sweden, the Canary Islands, Portugal—or even Trinidad—as preparations ramp up.

Pär has owned a string of capable offshore cruisers, including a Laurin 32 (Caprice), OE 32 (Evergreen), Albin Vega (Escargot), and even a GKSS sail canoe.

Asked why he’s taking on the Golden Globe Race, he says:

I feel a deep calling to sail the Southern Ocean, and the GGR is the perfect vehicle to make that happen. I love doing things that are potentially very dangerous, relatively safely—by managing risks. It gives me intense experiences without being careless or disrespectful of life. Rather, it’s about celebrating life. GGR provides a context and community that’s supportive, which increases not just the feeling of safety but the reality of it. Signing up for 2026 gets me going.

Best and Worst Parts

The best part of the GGR so far? The advice and energy from Don and the well-prepared Notice of Race. The worst? Perhaps the volume of mandatory safety gear. The best and worst part of the sailing itself? “The storms of the Southern Ocean.”

The Boat

Links

Website: https://3capespar.se

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3CapesPar/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3capespar/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@3capespar