SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

Sweden

Prince Carl Philip opens Rally Sweden

Like his father, King Carl XVI Gustaf, the Swedish Prince Carl Philip has a great interest in fast cars. He owns several rally cars and has been involved in the sport professionally in Sweden. On Thursday, Prince Carl Philip inaugurated Rally Sweden, which is being held in the city of Umeå.

Rally Sweden is one of thirteen races in the World Rally Championships and the only distinct winter rally. The rally has been held in Värmland since 1967 but is being held in Umeå for the first time this year. This year’s rally takes place from 24 to 25 February.

During the opening ceremony, Prince Carl Philip gave a speech in which he said, among other things: “It is an honour to welcome you all to Rally Sweden and to Umeå! In 1932, the classic Monte Carlo Rally started right here in Umeå. And now, here you are, 90 years later, about to embark on another exciting rally journey. After many successful years in Värmland, today we begin a new chapter in Rally Sweden’s long history. There is an exciting development for motorsports here in northern Sweden”.

His Royal Highness continued: “We have the Race of Champions in Piteå, the Fällfors Drive Center in Skellefteå, the testing site in Arjeplog… And today, for the first time, Rally Sweden is being held here in Umeå. It is a new rally, a new arena, new stretches. However, it is still Rally Sweden – in Sweden – with all of you devoted and passionate fans! And I am really looking forward to following it. To all the drivers: good luck in the competition. May the best team and driver win.”

On Friday, the Prince will follow the competition on-site and receive a tour of the service site in Umeå. Later in the day, Prince Carl Philip will attend the inauguration of the new arena, “The Red Barn.”

About author

Senior Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen has a master in military and political history of the Nordic countries. He has written six books on historical subjects and more than 1.500 articles for Royal Central. He has also interview both Serbian and Norwegian royals. Aanmoen is based in Oslo, Norway.