57th Raiffeisen Kékszalag Grand Prix
Event details
- Location
- Vitorlás Square
- Date
- Organizer
- Kékszalag PORT
The sailing festival is approaching – the 57th Kékszalag Raiffeisen Grand Prix will start on July 10.
For more information, please visit the following links:
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Description and image source the event's Facebook page or the official Facebook page of Kékszalag.
The Kékszalag is not just a race – it is a symbol of Hungarian sailing, the biggest sporting event on Lake Balaton, attracting thousands of people to the water and the shore every year. On July 10, the Kékszalag, Europe's oldest and longest sailing race, which has been held on Lake Balaton since 1934, takes off. The race traditionally starts in July, on the day closest to the full moon, so that the competitors can be guided by moonlight during the nighttime sailing. The fleet, usually consisting of more than 500 boats, sets sail from Balatonfüred and returns to the starting point via Balatonkenese, Siófok, and Keszthely, covering a distance of approximately 155 km.
The race is open to the largest number of boats, so anyone who meets the entry requirements can take part, from the most modern, high-tech catamarans to classic wooden sailing boats. The Kékszalag is not only a technical challenge, but also a real sporting achievement: the fastest boats can circumnavigate the lake in as little as 5 to 8 hours, while many teams struggle until the 48-hour time limit, into the night, with true sportsmanship and perseverance. They are the true heroes of the Kékszalag.
The uniqueness of the Kékszalag is that it is not only a competition for professionals, but also a celebration of amateur sailors, where the excitement of the crowd, strategic decisions and the forces of nature are all present at the same time. Every year, the race is closely linked to the Kékszalag Festival, which welcomes visitors to Balatonfüred with a colorful program of concerts, exhibitions and gastronomic delights.