Last summer during the UIM 3A Offshore World Championship, Tomi Huuhka and Lenni Strandberg were challenging for the lead when their boat hit a wake from another competitor, spun violently, and ejected Huuhka into the water.
Strandberg remained in the boat and, although he suffered a knee injury, he was the first to enter the water to assist his friend.
Huuhka was hospitalised but subsequently died from his injuries.
On Saturday, during the UIM GT30 European Championship held in Kotka, Finland, Lenni Strandberg was involved in a collision with another raceboat and lost his life.
The Finnish racer, who competed in both offshore and inshore racing, had been racing for around a decade.
Strandberg drove boat #39 for club KaVe, and Kotka was a course he knew well. He had won there before at maximum points across all four heats of a GT30 round, and podiumed there again the following year.
Southeast Finland Police said the accident happened at approximately 16:21 local time, when a competing boat ran over Strandberg’s during the race. He died at the scene from his injuries. Police say they do not currently suspect a crime, but are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident, alongside a coroner’s investigation into the cause of death. Powerboat News’ earlier report has further detail on the police statement.
The Finnish Sailing and Boating Association, which organised the event, confirmed the driver of the other boat was not Finnish. Mikaela Dunderfelt, chair of the association’s speed racing committee, said:
We will not be racing tomorrow.
The remainder of the weekend, including the GT30 European Championship, GT15 World Championship and GT10 European Cup, was cancelled.
Tributes have followed from across the sport. Racing community page Racewknd shared a message from Strandberg’s mother and Johannes:
Race in Peace, our beloved Lenni. From the very beginning, your heart belonged to the sea.
Update, August 2, 2026: Southeast Finland Police said Sunday they have obtained video footage of Saturday’s accident and have interviewed witnesses and the driver of the other boat involved.
According to police, the accident happened just before a buoy marked turn on the course. Strandberg’s boat, which was travelling ahead, turned or cut sharply toward the buoy before the turn, causing its speed to drop suddenly. The boat behind did not have time to avoid it, and the two collided.
Preliminary examination found no technical fault with the boat. Police said possible causes for the sharp turn include wave action, driver error, or a combination of the two.
Police continue to say they do not suspect a crime. The investigation continues as a cause of death inquiry, and Finland’s Safety Investigation Authority is carrying out its own parallel investigation alongside police.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
