Sting’s experience as the main sponsor of the Skrei Cod World Championship
Winds up to 25 m/s. Impressively rough seas. Spirits were high as we approached Svolvær in Lofoten for the biggest and toughest fishing competition in Norway; the conditions were already set.
This is where you find out what holds up, and what does not.
The 2026 World Championship in Skrei Cod Fishing
406 contestants gathered this year, only slightly down from 416 the year before — a strong turnout given the forecast.
A total of 59 boats were involved, up from 42 the previous year. Of these, 34 were individual team boats, while 25 were larger vessels carrying groups of competitors, many of them traditional Norwegian sjarks.
Between 2000 and 2500 people travelled to Svolvær across the four days, turning this small hub in Lofoten into a meeting point for the most hardcore of fishing enthusiasts.
406 fishing enthusiasts competed at this year's World Championship.
The logistics and preparations
Thursday, the 18th of March. Two days before the competition.
The alarm went off at 05:15. From Sarpsborg in the south, the Sting team set out for Svolvær — 1,400 kilometres to the north.
The plan was simple. Fly to Evenes, meet our dealer Hokland Marina, and bring the boats down to Svolvær by sea. Around 60 nautical miles along the coastline. A good way to settle in before the weekend.
The weather had other ideas.
From the forecast, it was clear that our calm transfer would turn into something else entirely. With conditions already worsening, we decided to let Hokland Marina trailer the boats and continue our remaining distance on land.
Not the original plan, but the right one.
The Sting team arrived by land-boat (also referred to as a "car").
Arriving in Svolvær
In Svolvær, Hokland Marina had already done the heavy lifting. Boats were in place, both for display and for the competition itself.
From there, the focus shifted to details. Branding across the marina and hotels. Preparing for the Lofot Cup. Making sure everything was ready before the crowds arrived.
In the evening, the captains’ meeting. A mandatory briefing, but also a moment to meet others who would be heading out into the same conditions.
A final stop at the local bakery secured the coffee and chocolate buns that would be handed out the next morning.
Then dinner. Then rest.
Supporting the event
Early mornings tend to look the same during the championship.
People gathering at the harbour. Checking gear. Watching the weather.
Together with Hokland Marina and Regatta, we handed out coffee and chocolate buns before the boats headed out. A small thing, but a friendly moment to still the pre-competition nerves. The people who come here know what they are signing up for, and competition days can be hectic.
Contributing to how the event is experienced, matters a great deal to us.
A special thanks to Hokland Marina, whose team handled the execution throughout the weekend — including Einar and Trond Børre, who captained our Sting team boats.
A moment at sea
Heading out from the shelter of the fjord and into open water, the shift is immediate.
The winds pick up, the swell builds. And you’re looking out towards an oncoming wall of rolling waves. This is when small things start to matter.
In those conditions, what stands out is not top speed or numbers on paper. It is whether you can keep working. Whether you can move safely on deck. Whether you can keep your lines in the water without constantly adjusting.
With both the Sting 725 Pro T-Top and the 725 Pro Cabin XL, the focus stayed where it should be — on the fishing. Three rods in the water. Stable footing. Protection from the worst of the rain.
Not perfect conditions. But workable ones.
The Sting Fishing Team was a joint effort between:
- Sting Boats
- Hokland Marina
- Skippo.se
- Powerboat & RIB Magazine
- Regatta / Aalesund Protective Wear
A full story of our competition experience is coming soon.
The 2026 World Championship in Skrei Cod Fishing results
We must not forget to highlight the competition's big catches. Here is a quick look at the winners:
Largest skrei cod
- Jodok Salzmann, 15.40 kg
- Morten Kostøl, Team Rjukan, 10.70 kg
- Didier Godfroid, Lofoten Arctic Pearl, 10.60 kg
Largest total catch — Sports fishermen
- Jack Tjønnvåg, Torungen HK, 2.40 kg
Largest total catch – tourist class men
- Didier Godfroid, Lofoten Arctic Pearl, 31.60 kg
- Morten Kostøl, Team Rjukan, 25.40 kg
- Jodok Salzmann, 15.40 kg
Largest total catch – tourist class women
- Viktoria Brønlund, Team Sting/Regatta/Hokland NR2, 6.60 kg
- Johanna Marie Gustavsson, Fiskefin, 3.00 kg
- Yannick Nijdam, Team Novick, 2.80 kg
Largest total catch – tourist class junior
- Tom Ulrik Dahl Grønnerud, Team Dahl, 1.60 kg
Largest average catch – team (tourist class)
- Lofoten Arctic Pearl, 21.00 kg
- Team Rjukan, 19.00 kg
- Hooked on Lofoten, 11.20 kg
Best boat
- MS Åse (private boat), 21.00 kg
You’ll find more information on the official championship website.
The most important part
We want to congratulate all the winners of this year's competition and thank all competitors and visitors for bringing such high spirits! It took both courage and skill to head out at sea this year. And most of all, we’re happy that everyone made it back to port safely.
In our next story, you’ll join us aboard the Sting boats as we head out for a full day of fishing during the World Championship. Stay tuned.