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Jacob Wallenberg
The business veteran with the sea as a companion
Jacob Wallenberg is undoubtedly one of the most well-known and influential figures in Swedish business. To mention just a few of his many prestigious roles, Jacob serves on the boards of Investor, the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, acting as chairman of the first two. But outside of work, the sea and sailing take up a significant part of his free time.
He logs around 25 sailing days per year and competes in sailing at an elite level.
“I started sailing at the age of ten with my family, and later began racing with friends in my teenage years, which has continued throughout my life.”
After training as a reserve officer in the navy, the sea became a constant companion. In the Swedish archipelago, he sails the 18-meter wooden boat Regina from 1939, which his grandfather purchased in the 1950s. Above all, however, Jacob and his team compete at an elite level in both Sweden and the Mediterranean.
“I really enjoy racing in Sweden, for example in Sandhamn. There’s a lot of sea breeze, steady winds, pleasant weather, and minimal currents. It makes for fair sailing where the crew’s skills are truly tested,” Jacob explains, continuing:
“What appeals to me is the teamwork—the fact that you are a team. Also, unlike many other sports, sailing, even at an elite level, is relatively independent of age.”
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Jacob has sailed the Gotland Runt race around 10–12 times. He has won his class twice, and on one occasion he and his crew won the entire competition. In addition to racing in Sweden, they have participated in many regattas in the Mediterranean, in the waters off Spain, Mallorca, Sardinia, and the Italian coast.
“We often compete down there in a class called Club Swan 50, where all boats are exactly the same. That means you can’t ‘buy’ your way to a win—every team competes on equal terms.”
The sailing season starts early in the spring, when temperatures can be cold—not only in Swedish waters but also in the Mediterranean. Proper clothing is essential to avoid getting cold, and Jacob and his crew have long used base layers from Woolpower.
“They simply do their job. They’re comfortable natural materials, keep you warm, and dry quickly. At the start of the season, we use both the thinner and thicker garments. Later, when it gets warmer, we switch to the 200-gram range.”
Jacob’s strongest sailing memory comes from a long-distance sail when he was up very early in the morning.
“I was tired and a bit cold. All around me was nothing but the sea. Then suddenly, you see the first rays of the sun rising over the horizon—and in that moment, you really feel at one with nature.”
If Jacob had to choose a favorite garment, it would be a Zip Turtleneck in Ullfrotté 200. Besides sailing, he also wears it while hunting and alpine skiing.
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