Latest News concerning the despite the stormy weather that has damaged several boats, there will be no obstacles to the start of the Blue Ribbon. Although the field will start with fewer than expected, about five hundred sailboats, the race is not in danger, and according to the weather forecast, storm, calm, rain, mosquito clouds and pitch-black nights make the race difficult but surely the sailors will be able to compete ablaze with sailing fever.
The 57th Blue Ribbon Raiffeisen Grand Prix will start from Balatonfüred 9 a.m. Thursday 10th of July. During the Balaton circumnavigation sailing race, there will be programs for those interested on the shore for three days. The race will be broadcast live on the giant screen at the Sailing Square. According to the weather forecast, strong winds of cca 15-20 knots are expected on the day of the race, which could even result in another record time. In any case, the start promises to be spectacular. According to the current situation, more than 500 boats and a field of about 3,000 people will set off on the 160-kilometer distance. Several boats preparing for the Blue Ribbon sailing race were damaged in Monday’s storm, 130-kilometer gusts of wind were measured in Balatonfüred, tens of millions of forints of damage were caused, and several boats were damaged in the ports and on the shore. Two liberas, the Principessa and the Raffica, will definitely not be able to start in Thursday’s race, but the Lisa, also a monohull, was wrecked, and three catamarans also sustained serious damage, informed András Holczhauser, the general secretary of the race. This year, the competitors will compete in thirty boat classes and separate categories. The time limit for the race organized by the Hungarian Sailing Association, is 48 hours, meaning that the 150-kilometer distance must be completed by 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 12. After the start on Balatonfüred (Northern side Lake Balaton) the field passing through Balatonkenese, Siófok and the Tihany Strait, then turn around at Keszthely and return to Balatonfüred.
This time, several foreign units have started in Europe’s longest lake circumnavigation race, and a good number of the fastest boats and catamarans with the best chance of winning the final race are starting. It is characteristic that the boats competing for the Blue Ribbon award are improved year after year, becoming more modern, lighter and of course faster. There will be quite a few boats on the course, of which anyone can finish first, depending on the wind and tactics. In any case, there is agreement that with favorable winds, the distance can be completed in as little as 5 hours with modern catamarans.
The award ceremony will be on Saturday evening. In addition to the competitors, the Blue Ribbon Festival also offers entertainment programs on the shore.
Last but not least … if someone doesn’t have a clue …”Where does the Blue Ribbon name come from?”
Once upon a time, the fastest sailboat on the seas could wear a blue ribbon on its mast, and this tradition was later adopted by steamboats. With the spread of sailing, competitions developed on European lakes, the winner of which could tie a ribbon symbolizing the award for being the fastest to the top of the mast. In 1934, the Hungária Yacht Club, which first organized the competition, transferred this custom to Lake Balaton, and ever since, the boat that sails around Lake Balaton the fastest has won the Blue Ribbon. The name of the competition has become a concept over time. It is organized annually by the Hungarian Sailing Association under the name Blue Ribbon.
One more info … Those who cannot be present may watch the live broadcast on kekszalag.hu and on Telekom Live’s YouTube channel.
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