Fika, a Najad 1490 built in Sweden in 2001, is part of owner and co-skipper Annette Hesselman’s mission of providing sail training, charters, and sailing adventures through her company Paper Sailors Rock. Aptly named after the Swedish term for slowing down and savoring life, Fika combines comfort and capability, making it an ideal choice for long offshore races like the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup.
Annette will be joined by her daughter Sophie and will form the first mother and daughter crew to compete in the Melbourne Osaka Cup.
Annette completed the 2018 Melbourne Osaka Cup with her husband Gerry Snijders on Red Jacket, finishing seventh overall where Sophie joined Annette for the sail back to Australia. Annette’s dedication to fostering inclusion in sailing is evident from her role as the skipper of an all-female crew in the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s Melbourne to Hobart ‘Westcoaster’ race in 2018.
Daughter Sophie Snijders has sailed double handed with her partner Slim on her boat Nakama from Northern NSW anti clockwise around Australia and are currently in Tasmania whilst completing their university degrees and producing content and building their youtube channel Slim and Soph – Sailing Nakama
For Annette, the Melbourne Osaka campaign is an opportunity to sail with her daughter providing inspiration for women by sharing her love of the sport with others.