RS Sailing Sweden changes ownership
by RS Sailing 12 Jan 2024 08:54 PST
RS Sailing boats © RS Sailing Sweden
Christer Båth, winner of the prestigious Pelle Pettersson prize in 2022, has handed over RS Sailing Sweden to the capable hands of new owners Björn Wärnberg and Magnus Robertsson.
Both are passionate about sailing and bring a wealth of experience to this new chapter. Together, with a competent business team, (all of which are sailors) they will work actively to continue to develop RS in Sweden, following on from Christer's exemplary footsteps.
Christer is one of RS Sailing's longest-serving national dealers and has been an integral part of Swedish sailing. He will continue his support as an ambassador for RS Sailing Sweden. Christer, who just turned 80, still races his RS Aero; "sailing keeps you young longer!"
Björn Wärnberg: "To be given the chance to work with the development of sailing is a lifetime dream that has become a reality for me. Becoming an owner of RS Sailing Sweden and a dealer for RS Sailing is, of course, an honour. As an RS Aero sailor and father to an RS Aero sailor, I know that there is a special sense of community that makes one want to participate more and this is what I want to encourage further in Sweden."
The company will remain on the west coast of Sweden but has relocated from Gothenburg to the coastal village of Ljungskile. This new location is in the heart of a fantastic sailing area and the showroom is only a stone's throw from the sea, enabling test sailing and fun events for existing and future customers.
Magnus Robertsson: "To be a part of the RS Sailing family feels wonderful! After experiencing the sense of community at two RS World Championships a few years ago, I saw that RS has the right idea by creating sailing and events that are inclusive, fun and welcoming. I look forward to continuing to encourage this type of sailing and these excellent dinghies here in Sweden."
Sticking to the RS ethos of "for sailors, by sailors" the company will supply and distribute the wide range of RS boats which are optimal for sailing schools, recreational sailors and elite-level racing. The RS Quest is a favourite choice among sailing schools and the RS Toura recently won 'Best Dinghy' in Sailing World Magazine's Boat of The Year Awards 2024. The RS Feva is also a popular model, following the growth of the Swedish class and its acclaimed Swedish Youth RS Feva Sprint Cup. RS Förbundet, was awarded 'Class Association of the Year' at the Swedish Sailing Association Annual Conference 2023, notably for its sustainability and accessibility initiatives around Sprint Cup series.
RS Sailing Sweden will also continue to work closely with RS Class Associations to support regattas. These include both championships in Sweden and worldwide events.
"We thank Christer Bath for his wonderful collaboration in the past years. We hope to continue seeing Christer's tough resistance out on the water. We look forward to new collaboration with Björn Wärnberg and Magnus Robertsson's team for the coming years. Good luck and we look forward to visiting your new premises in Ljungskile." Susanne Borgenstierna, Swedish RS Class Association, RS Förbundet.
Key events in Sweden this year include the RS Aero Youth World Championship in Marstrand, 12-17th August 2024.
"When RS sailors meet to race, it's so much more than the regatta that is in focus. The socializing with good friends from all over the world is what makes sailors want to come back year after year. That RS feeling is at the centre of everything we try to create with sailing." Lydia Spencer Smith, RS Sweden Marketing.
The new team will also be exhibiting at Båtmässan Göteborg Boat Show, 3rd-11th February 2024. As we embrace 2024, this is just one of the many exciting developments in the wider network of the RS Sailing family. "As we thank Christer for his never-ending commitment to sailing, we also welcome this next phase of RS Sailing Sweden. Björn and Magnus will continue to retain our small-business personal style while delivering world-class products." Michiel Geerling, Commercial Director of RS Sailing.