The 2027 edition5 to 20 June: Harlingen, Kirkwall, Stavanger
Until the start from Harlingen
From Orkney to Stavanger for the first time
In 2027 we sail a route we have never sailed before: from Kirkwall in Orkney straight on to Stavanger.
We also leave a full week earlier than in many previous editions. That is deliberate: it lets us join an event organised by the sailing club in the Stavanger region in mid-June. So we are guests there not only in the harbour, but on the water as well.
The old paper logbook with stamps also disappears. Instead there will be a digital guide containing the rules, the skipper's declaration and route information. How you record your voyage is up to you — a diary, a photo series, a track in Polarsteps. Share it with the organisation: the best account wins the trophy, and we are keeping that tradition.
Three legs across the North Sea
- Harlingen – Kirkwall447 nm
- Kirkwall – Stavanger269 nm
- Stavanger – the Netherlands± 354 nm
- Total± 1,100 nm
This is a passage, not a race. There is no start and no finish. Which route you sail and when you arrive is up to you — but there are plenty of other Driehoek sailors happy to think along with you.
From Harlingen to Stavanger and backarrival days are expectations, not commitments
- Sat 6 February
Information meeting
Lelystad, 14.00 – 17.00. Open to members and non-members, skippers and crew. Sign up.
- Sat 13 March
Passage planning workshop
Route planning, watch keeping, cooking on board, safety and seasickness.
- Sat 22 May
Participants' meeting
Lelystad, 12.00 – 17.00. Final arrangements before departure. Sign up.
- May – June
Inspections and cockpit talks
By appointment, during the Ascension trip to the UK, or on 3 and 4 June in Harlingen.
- Thu 3 – Fri 4 June
Gathering in Harlingen
The fleet arrives in the Noorderhaven. Last inspections, shopping and a shared meal.
- Sat 5 June
Palaver and departure
The palaver in the morning, then out past the Pollendam into the North Sea. 447 miles to Kirkwall.
- Mon 7 – Wed 9 June
Arrival in Kirkwall
Most boats come in during these days. Recover, repair, explore the town.
- Thu 10 June
Shore programme in Orkney
An excursion across the islands. We will announce the programme as soon as it is fixed.
- Fri 11 June
Departure for Stavanger
269 miles east across the northern North Sea.
- Sat 12 – Mon 14 June
Arrival in Stavanger
Most participants arrive on Sunday. Monday is for recovering or for your own plans.
- Tue 15 June
Shore programme in Norway
We climb Preikestolen. If that is too much, there is a city walk or a museum visit in Stavanger.
- Wed 16 June
Barbecue on the island
The day is free; we close with a shared barbecue on the sailing club's island, which has a clubhouse and a barbecue area.
- Thu 17 June
Homeward, in your own time
From now on everyone is free. If you stay longer: sailing into the Lysefjord is well worth it.
- Sat 19 June
Pontoon drinks at Vlieland
Unofficial, for anyone stopping at Vlieland after the crossing.
- Fri 18 – Sun 20 June
Arrival in the Netherlands
Report in with the organisation, so we know everyone is home.
Kirkwall, Orkney Islands447 miles from Harlingen
We expect most boats to reach Kirkwall between Monday 7 and Wednesday 9 June. The day after arrival is a rest day, to be filled as you see fit: sleep, check the boat over, or head straight into town.
On Thursday 10 June we organise a shore programme across the islands. Orkney is small but crowded with history: neolithic stone circles, Kirkwall's cathedral, and Scapa Flow, where the German fleet was scuttled by its own crews in 1919.
The intention is to leave for Stavanger on Friday 11 June.
Stavanger, Norway269 miles from Kirkwall
Most participants arrive in Stavanger on Sunday 13 June. Monday is set aside for recovering or for your own plans. On Tuesday 15 June there is a shore programme: we climb Preikestolen, the rock plateau above the Lysefjord. If you would rather keep both feet at sea level, there is a city walk or a museum.
Wednesday 16 June is yours to fill, and in the evening we close with a shared barbecue on the island belonging to the Stavanger sailing club. There is a clubhouse and a barbecue area, and club members will probably join us.
From Thursday 17 June everyone can start the journey home. Staying longer? Sailing into the Lysefjord is one of the finest things you can do with a boat.
Norway during an earlier edition. Photos of Stavanger will follow after 2027.
Where we are heading
Click a photo to view it full size.
Register for 2027
Entries go through the Kustzeilers website. Have a look at the costs and what is included first.