2 Sep

David Gilmour Live at the Circus Maximus @ Rome 

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Most probably … I’m not alone thrilled to announce the live film of 2024 Rome concert at the Circus Maximus is shortly coming to selected cinemas nationwide this year Wednesday, 17th of September.

Pink Floyd fans will find it worthwhile to check out the national cinema program, as a recording of one of his performances in Rome last year will be released in Hungary.

Live at the Circus Maximus may be the best chance for fans around the world to experience David’s art on the big screen through images from fresh footage.

One of the stops on Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour’s 2024 Luck and Strange tour was at the famous Circus Maximus in Rome. Returning to touring after nearly a decade thanks to the latest album of the same name. Against the backdrop of the ancient ruins of Rome, the album’s songs will obviously resonate, such as a new cover of “Between Two Points”, but of course there will also be real Pink Floyd classics such as “Sorrow”, “High Hopes”, “Breathe (In the Air)”, “Time”, “Wish You Were Here” and “Comfortably Numb”. The Luck and Strange 23 concert quickly sold out, and with no new event on the horizon in Gilmour’s calendar at the moment.

The work was directed by Gavin Elder, who has worked with Duran Duran on music videos and concert recordings since 2004 and with Gilmour since 2006, so the motion picture recordings of the tours held in the mid-2010s were also made under his direction. The two and a half hour Roman evening featured 23 songs in total, of which the aforementioned “Between Two Points” was performed in a duet with his daughter. The movie version stored 22 tracks for eternity in 142 minutes. The performance and its soundtrack will also be released as a double CD edition 1 month after the movie premiere (with the song missing from the film included), so those who may miss the extras provided by the movie experience won’t have to wait long for it.

The tour first warmed up with two shows in Brighton, then followed by a 6-day trip to Rome, which was then followed by the legendary Royal Albert Hall in London, then the equally iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and finally the equally emblematic Madison Square Garden in New York.

During last October music release, the 23 tracks will be released as a selection, so not all of them will be from the filmed Roman evening, so it may also contain some new material for those lucky enough to catch a movie screening.

Don’ miss your chance to experience.

The concert film is for a limited time only, so it is recommended to find and book tickets for your preferred screening A.S.A.P.

The film distributed by Pannónia Entertainment.

Recomenndation by Aggie Reiter

23 Jul

Getting Around: Splish-Splash … Just for One Night Saturday, July. 26. 2025.

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Needn’t have to wait so long in just a couple of days … Here you go to one of the more than 50 mineral bath and/or Spa at the Nighttime Hungary’s event … which will be held again this year on Staturday, July. 26. 2025.
The numerous spas will welcome visitors with extended opening hours and programs. The event aims to offer entertaining programs at the spas, promoting Hungarian spa culture. More than 40 spas coutrywide will join the event, in Budapest and throughout the country’s regions as well. Namely some of them: Aquaworld, Lupa Beach, as well as the spas in Zalakaros and Sárvár. A variety of programs await both mermaids and mermen to immerse themselves in the thermal baths indoor and open air pools. Visitors will be welcomed entertained during the nighttime bathing with musical programs, sauna sessions, and other entertaining events. The goal of the event is for the spas to remain open in the evenings and to welcome guests with special programs, as well as to promote the spas.

In addition to night bathing, there will also be live concerts, children’s programs, sauna sessions, slide competitions, and other entertaining activities at the baths.

Highlights of the Night … In certain baths, alongside musical night bathing, there are also option to foam parties, fire juggler shows, and discos.

Each Baths/Spas have different closing hours until next day Sunday, July. 27. 2025. It is worth looking inadvance.

THE BATHS ARE NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 14 YEARS OLD

Ticket purchase: It is worth buying tickets in advance from the web shops to avoid queuing.

What a Night by Aggie Reiter

22 Jul

Getting Around – Rhythm and Roots: An American Folk Dance Extravaganza.

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Tuesday, 29. July, 2025.
11 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
Outdoor stage

District XIV:, 3. Olof Palme Promenade Budapest

In just a week where will you be? Ready below pretty sure many will be interested coming from USA to Budapest to get into the GROVE of the American Footworks Dance Company and featurirng the American Footworks Bluegrass Band who will host a free clogging dance performance on the spot of the House of Music’s Outdoor Stage Budapest.

About the Dancers … Their group has 20-24 dancers who are selected annually from approximately one hundred students from clogging dance studios in Idaho, based on their skills, commitment, attitude and performance abilities. Each must be a skilled clogger and show proficiency in other dance styles.

What is clogging? Most probably many Hungarians have not a clue about it, but to be on the spot will find out.

American clogging has its roots in the intersection of various dance forms of early European immigrants, Native Americans, and African slaves, primarily in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The dance was an improvisational, percussive solo or individual dance form that was danced at community celebrations, harvest festivals, baptisms, church gatherings, and dance halls.

Towards the end of the 19th century, communities began to incorporate this improvisational footwork into social, formation and square dance figures brought with them by immigrants from the diaspora in Western Europe. Known today as “hoedown” or “freestyle” clogging, the social event took many forms regionally and remained a popular community activity.

The program will be held even in rainy weather, as the Open-air Stage is largely covered.

To participate is free of charge.

Recommendation by Aggie Reiter

22 Jul

Cowboy Dancer for a Day – Join American Dance Group from Idaho – Rocky Mountains in Budapest

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Getting Around and Into the Mood! From swing to cowboy dances to the Charleston. American dance education at the Museum of Ethnography. In addition to the traditions of Hungary and the Carpathian Basin, the Museum of Ethnography collects, preserves and transmits the treasures of many other cultures of the world through exhibitions and colorful programs.

On 30th of July, 2025. the American Footworks dance group from the Rocky Mountains will host a performance and dance house that will get everyone to dprrd up. The American Footworks is a folklore dance group consisting of young people who come to Budapest from the American state of Idaho, from the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Their repertoire reflects the diversity of the American dance tradition, including hula, Charleston, hoe down, hip hop, southern waltz and many other genres. At their presentation and dance house held at the Ethnographic Museum, participants can get up close and personal with traditional dances of the United States.
Young and elder folks alike can try their hand at American dances such as square dance, swing, cowboy dance or even the Charleston, accompanied by live bluegrass music, with the help of the group members.
Prior to their museum performance, those interested can also meet the company also at the
Hungarian Music House on July 29th, where they will perform their full program, a 60-minute, colorful and energetic dance and music experience that combines traditional American dances with traditional American dances.

Update by Aggie Reiter

22 Jul

Movie “SILENT FRIEND” to be screened @ the 82nd Venice Film Festival 2025.

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It was announced today that the new film “SILENT FRIEND” – directed by Ildikó Enyedi, winner of the Golden Bear and Oscar-nominated film Body and Soul, has been invited to the competition program of the 82nd Venice Film Festival. It draws a sensitive and philosophical parallel between the relationship between plants and humans. The film is an emotional journey through time, spiced with a bit of humor. The male lead of the film is Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, whose work was recognized with a lifetime achievement award in Venice in 2023. The other main characters of the film, Luna Wedler and Enzo Brumm, can also be seen in the film My Wife’s Story, starring Léa Seydoux. The German-French-Hungarian co-production, supported by the National Film Institute, and led by Reinhard Brundig and Monika Mécs, is scheduled to be released in cinemas across Europe in the first half of 2026, and in Hungary, distributed by Mozinet (National Film Institue).

One of the world’s most prestigious, A-category film festivals will be held between August 27. -September 6. 2025.

Updated by Aggie Reiter

19 Jul

Cinema has never gone out of style … Result of Hungarian voters of the 10 best films in the first half of 2025.

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According to the Hungarian Film Database, the Brad Pitt-starring F1 was on the Top 10 chart, gaining its 1st place as beyond the movie have had been weighted, based on the viewer ratings and viewership of Hungarians favorite movies in the first half of 2025.

The latest installment of Mission: Impossible is in second place, and the live-action How to Train Your Dragon is on the podium. In the case based of films that have earned at least 100 million HUF, viewer ratings and viewership were weighted. In light of this, F1, starring Brad Pitt, leads the TOP 10 list with an 87% rating. Sonny was injured and burned out in a huge crash. Today he drinks and gambles. The boss of an F1 team, Ruben (Javier Bardem), nevertheless asks him to return to the big race. Sonny must realize that he must look for his main opponent within the team.

The 2nd place rating of 86% was Mission: Impossible – The Final Showdown. In the latest chapter of the large-scale action thriller series, the Entity is now preparing to take control of the nuclear arsenal of the world’s nuclear powers. There will be no shortage of tension, amazing sights, action and humor this time around! A little behind is How to Train Your Dragon, the bronze medalist. In the live-action remake of the Dreamworks animation of the same name released in 2010, the son of the Viking leader Tin Man (Gerard Butler), Hufflepuff (Mason Thames), befriends the feared Toothless. Their unusual alliance reveals the true nature of dragons. The 4th place on the TOP 10 list was Lilo & Stitch – The Star Dog. The live-action film adaptation of Disney’s 2002 animated classic is a funny and heartfelt story about a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps her reunite her family. The 5th place was The Thunderbirds. In the Marvel epic, an unlikely team of anti-heroes are forced to face dark episodes from their pasts during a mission. Will they be able to unite in time and find redemption, or will they destroy each other? The 6th place was The Accountant 2, in which a mafia accountant (Ben Affleck) involves his long-lost, dangerous younger brother, Chris (Jon Bernthal), in the investigation of the murder of secret agent Marybeth’s (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) boss. The 7th place was The Job, in which Levon (Jason Statham) longs for a simple life. He leaves counterterrorism and works on a construction site. He is satisfied with his quiet life. That is why he takes it badly when the owner’s teenage daughter does not return home after a night of partying. He goes after the girl. What seems like a simple case leads him deeper and deeper into the underworld dominated by Russian mobsters. The 8th place was voted to Paddington in Peru, in which our favorite bear lives happily in the Brown family’s attic in London. But he receives a letter from Peru informing him that his beloved aunt, who spent her old age playing bingo, has disappeared. The 9th place to Bridget Jones: The Borderlands, in which 51-year-old Bridget is finally lucky: she has a job as a screenwriter and a new boyfriend. But soon, it’s not just the fact that the man is more than twenty years younger than her that causes problems. The 10th place the voters choice was Ballerina in top 10 list, starring Ana de Armas and Keanu Reeves. Set during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3: Parabellum, Ballerina’s protagonist is Eva Macarro, who begins her training as an assassin in the Ruska Roma unit.

Updated by Aggie Reiter

17 Jul

Trail of Myth with James Davis Master of Wines

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James Davis MW is one of the most respected wine professionals in the world. He is one of fewer than 500 people worldwide who holds the notoriously tricky-to-pass Master of Wine qualification.

Below sharing released press riport from the Public Relations and Communications Agency Hungary

“What Does a Master of Wine Truly Know?

“The profession of Master of Wine (MW) is wrapped in layers of myth. These so-called Jedi
Knights of wine are said to possess the power to launch a bottle’s market value into the
stratosphere — and to reach their ranks, one must endure a grueling journey few dare to take.
But perhaps the truest definition of being a Master of Wine is that this is the most intimate
connection one can have with wine and through wine, with life itself. It is a vocation that
blends philosophy, art, and science … who better to guide us through this world than
internationally recognized MW James Davis?
“Wine – as one of the most authentic beverages of humankind – is naturally linked to the
discovery of cultural values, to travel, and to the building of human connections. And for
someone who loves all of these, there could hardly be a more ideal profession than being a
Master of Wine.” This is exactly how James Davis, a British wine expert who earned the MW
title in 2013, found himself drawn into the field. As he explains, beyond his deep love of
wine, what drove him most was the challenge — the idea that through persistent effort, he
could attain a title reserved for only the few.
“The knowledge related to wine is far richer and more complex than one might initially think,
as it encompasses a deep understanding of the wine-producing regions, the people who live
there, and even the very soil that nourishes the wines. Of course the true Master of Wine also
understands how wine interacts with culture, how it influences language … and how language,
in turn, influences wine,” the expert emphasizes.
“In this sense, the doctors of the wine world can rightfully be seen as sorcerers or wine
whisperers – yet the truth is that their expertise is grounded in objective knowledge. At the
Institute of Masters of Wine, students receive not only cultural and philosophical education,
but also acquire extensive knowledge in economics, trade, wine technology, and other
relevant fields. Many of them later go on to apply their expertise not only in supporting
wineries and retail chains, but also as educators in prestigious higher education institutions,
teaching students interested in winemaking or wine marketing.
James, for example, teaches at the globally renowned Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)
and at the Institute of Masters of Wine itself. He also occasionally lectures at Dijon Business
School. Yet for him, the true beauty of his role lies in sharing this complex, nuanced
knowledge with others, helping people discover the true value of wine, and more
importantly, what makes it such an extraordinary drink.
In today’s rapidly changing and often uncertain world, James Davis believes it’s more
important than ever to highlight what is authentic and enduring. His craft gives him the
unique opportunity to do just that, working every day with one of humanity’s most original
and flavorful creations: wine.” End of riport.

By-the-way furthermore to the a/m riport … The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) has released the list of wines and accompanying questions from the 2025 Master of Wine (MW) exam, which was completed by students in centres around the world last week in London.

In a nutshell about “The Institute of Masters of Wine” (IMW). The IMW is a membership organisation with an exceptional international reputation. For more than 70 years, its members – the Masters of Wine (MWs) – have been at the forefront of leadership and expertise in the world of wine. The IMW’s mission is to foster excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. MWs prove their comprehensive understanding of wine by passing the MW exam, recognised worldwide for its rigour and exacting standards. In addition to passing the exam, members must sign the code of conduct before they are entitled to use the initials MW. This requires them to uphold the highest standards of commercial conduct within the industry. Today, there are 422 Masters of Wine working in 30 countries. The membership encompasses winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, viticulturalists, academics, educators and more. There are 346 students from 43 countries in the 2024-25 MW study programme. The IMW works with 38 supporters and four research and industry associates, who help promote the IMW’s mission. The five principal supporters are Austrian Wine, AXA Millésimes, Champagne Bollinger, Constellation Brands and VSPT Wine Group.”

Summarized by Aggie Reiter

17 Jul

2nd Tony Curtis International Film Festival @ the City of Mátészalka – Hungary 2025.

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Who wouldn’t remember, even watched in Hungary or around the world this terrific movie

once-or-twice!?!

Tony Curtis was born 100 years ago – June. 3. 1925. and on this occasion the Hungarian Hollywood Council has declared 2025 the Tony Curtis Memorial Year and within this connection the Tony Curtis International Film Festival will be held between 25-27. September @ Szalkai Mozi – Zukor Adolf Movie theater …v enue: 40. Kossuth street in the City of Mátészalka – Hungary.

The City of Mátészalka will once again be at the center of the international film world. It is the memorial year of Tony Curtis, who is distinguished by his Hungarian origin and Hollywood career. The event is organized by the Hungarian Hollywood Council, the city of Mátészalka and the Origo Film Studio with the support of the National Film Institute, which aims to bring together and discover Hungarian and international film talents. The main message of the event is that the Hungarian founders and stars of Hollywood had a significant impact on both American and international film production. The presence and significance of Hungarian talent and creativity across generations is symbolically focused in Tony Curtis’s career. The short film Tony Curtis 100 – The Hungarian Hollywood Heritage presents the international presence of Tony Curtis and other Hungarian-born Hollywood actors, studio founders, and Hungarian filmmakers.

Academy Award-nominated, two-time Golden Globe-winning Hungarian Jewish-born Hollywood actor, producer, writer, and actor legend who has appeared in 130 films. The film star, known worldwide as Tony Curtis, was born Bernard Schwartz in New York on 3 June 1925. His father Manó Schwartz (Emanuel Schwartz) was born in Mátészalka, while his mother Ilona Klein (Helen Schwartz) was born in Nagymihály in what is now Slovakia, but later said to have been born in Vályko. His parents emigrated from there to New York. He already In 1943, at the age of 18, enlisted in the Navy, and after the war he continued his career as an actor in California at Universal Studios, where he was seen as a very imaginative actor. In addition to acting, he was interested in horseback riding and fencing. Early in his career he took the name Tony Curtis.
He typically starred in comedies, but his roles also included more serious ones, such as Antoninus in 1960’s Spartacus and the serial killer in The Boston Strangler. In the golden age of television in the early 1970s, he co-starred with Roger Moore in The Persuaders as a high-profile American businessman who wasn’t afraid to get into fights. The series ran in Hungary under the title “Mindenlébe két kanál”“Two spoons in every pot”. He later appeared in Such a Boxer and Blood Prize 2 – The Big Bang, as well as in TV series such as Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and CSI. Latter on he played himself in a short scene.

Visiting Hungary: Proud of his Hungarian origins, he visited Hungary several times. The first time he visited Hungary was in 1985, when he also visited Mátészalka, and then he came back to his parents’ homeland in 1988. In 1996, by invitation of the government, he took part in the First World Meeting of Hungarian Filmmakers and hosted a film spot promoting Hungary.

He established the Emmanuel Foundation Emmanuel Foundationa in 1991 to support the renovation of the Dohány Street Synagogue and next to the synagogue’s courtyard together with Barbra Streisand financially supported by them. The monument was named the Tree of Life – its leaves are engraved with the names of the victims of the Hungarian Holocaust, around 30,000. The contribution from the memorialists went into the synagogue renovation fund. The area behind the memorial tree was named after the Swedish rescuer Raoul Wallenberg, who saved thousands of lives during the Holocaust. In addition to Wallenberg, there are plaques in the park for other Western diplomats who worked as rescuers, such as Girgo Perlasca and Angelo Rotta. At the memorial Park offical opening Tony Curtis was present and beside others “Q” and “A” … “The statue depicts the Ten Commandments, why are the texts of the commandments blank? … “Because none of them were enforced during the war!”

He also visited Mátészalka, where his parents had emigrated to America. He later changed from filming to painting. His paintings can be seen in famous galleries. His autobiographical book, The Prince of Hollywood, was published in 2009 and signed at the 16th International Book Festival in Budapest, Millenáris Park.

Recommandation by Aggie Reiter

16 Jul

Getting Around … Winners Day July 12. – 57th Kékszalag Raiffeisen Grand Prix ended.

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Records and unforgettable stories below:

The 57th Kékszalag Raiffeisen Grand Prix officially ended with a ceremonial award ceremony held on Gyógy tér in Balatonfüred on Saturday evening. This year’s competition was made memorable by the records, the dramatic moments and the solidarity of the sailing community after Monday’s frighting … heavy storms. The live broadcast provided by Magyar Telekom was followed by more than 120 thousand viewers, and the field demonstrated an amazing sporting performance on Lake Balaton, even in challenging, strong winds.

The legendary celebration of Hungarian sailing, the 57th Kékszalag Raiffeisen Grand Prix, brought historic days. The field of 479 boats, which started at 9 a.m. on Thursday morning, had to withstand strong winds, sometimes exceeding 30 knots, for many for more than 10-15 hours. The good wind brought extraordinary speed and excitement. The victory was won by the MLS Raiffeisen Fifty-Fifty , helmed by Márton Józsa , which finished in an amazing time of 4 hours 24 minutes, improving its own previous record by more than 40 minutes. The speed of the race is indicated by the fact that the second-placed Sailing Team RSM (helmsman: Róbert Vándor ) and the third-placed Kürt-Team Kaáli (helmsman: Flóra Virág ) also completed the distance within the previous course record (5 hours 3 minutes).

Fantastic results in all boat classes … The 57th Kékszalag Raiffeisen Grand Prix proved that the magic of the competition lies in the diversity of the field. One of the biggest sensations of the day was the sailboat called Samurai Jack, which broke the record for monohulls with a time of 8 hours and 35 minutes. It is also curious that several monohulls were among the first 10 finishers, so it was not only catamarans that dominated the lead.

A separate trophy was awarded to recognize the epochal achievements of the classic boats. In the decades-long battle of prestige between the 75 cruisers , Lillafüred triumphed this year, with Olympic bronze medalist Detre Szabolcs steering the yacht, beating Sirocco by just two seconds at the finish line. With a time of 10 hours and 6 minutes, Lillafüred broke the classic record of 10 hours and 40 minutes set by the third-place 75 cruiser, Nemere II, in 1955, which was believed to be unbreakable. Moreover, Sirocco and Nemere II themselves were both faster than the historical record time.

Heroes, dramas and the power of the sailing community … The strong wind posed a serious challenge for the field. Several boats struggled with serious technical problems, and nearly fifty units, including big names such as thirteen-time winner Farkas Litkey, were forced to give up the fight.

The most dramatic story was that of the boat Sponsor Wanted . Both the Raffica and the René Raffica were damaged in Monday’s storm, the latter team consisting entirely of young people. The members of the two units joined forces and set off on the distance with a boat, the Sponsor Wanted, that they had made competitive in three days, and the Raffica mast. Although the mast, which was presumably damaged in the storm, ultimately could not withstand the load, the team earned the KPMG Fair Play Award for its unprecedented cooperation and sportsmanship .

“This exemplary collaboration and team spirit is worthy of the Fair Play award. The Sponsor Wanted team has proven that perseverance and collaboration can lead to victory even in the most difficult situations,” said Rezső Rózsai , CEO of KPMG Hungary.

The competition was full of memorable moments: 12-time Hungarian champion ice hockey player Krisztián Palkovics celebrated his 50th birthday by crossing the finish line, the “art boat” Queen Lucy (Jr. Ferenc Zenthe, Béla Szerednyey, Zoltán Barabás Kiss) finished second in its category, and 87-year-old Miklós Tuss , a three-time Blue Ribbon winner , became the oldest competitor this year and won first place in his category with his boat Hepp. The youngest participant in the competition was 8-year-old Márk Hermányi , who also won a silver medal in his category as a member of the Beach Body team.

The last boat, the Kaland , and its team, who arrived at the finish line after more than 29 hours of sailing, with champagne. This gesture also symbolized that the Blue Ribbon belongs to everyone who fulfilled the distance.

Successful mediation and technological background … The competition attracted huge interest, with well over 120,000 people following the television-quality live broadcast provided by Magyar Telekom. Viewers could also watch the broadcast, which was enriched with drone and motorboat footage and expert analysis, on the kekszalag.hu website, the Telekom Live YouTube channel, as well as on TV2 Play and Spíler 1 TV.

During the 57th Kékszalag Raiffeisen Grand Prix, the boat tracking system developed by Széchenyi István University and operated by Magyar Telekom functioned reliably and as intended, providing real-time data to both fans and competitors.

“The GPS-based technology provided accurate and real-time data to the organizers, competitors and spectators alike. The system stably supported digital tracking and live streaming throughout the competition,” said István Drotár , a representative of Széchenyi István University.

The Blue Ribbon Festival continued on Friday with the Audi Speed Challenge , where the fastest boats competed on an 800-meter course in front of the Balatonfüred pier. The competition was also won by the MLS Raiffeisen Fifty-Fifty team.

“The jewel of the Balaton sailing races, the Kékszalag Raiffeisen Grand Prix, is an event that not only the teams, the sport and the sponsors, but also an entire country look forward to with pride every year. At the same time, its speciality is the application of innovation, technology and digital development, which it offers more and more every year. This year, we saw more of the values that are important to us, as the race record was broken, the teams showed extraordinary solidarity after the storm and the race in general was characterized by sportsmanship. Raiffeisen Bank supports this and is proud to stand by the race for the seventh time, as tradition, teamwork, innovation and a sustainable, active domestic presence are behind our results,” said György Zolnai, CEO of Raiffeisen Bank.

“This year’s Blue Ribbon was made even more memorable by a storm that damaged several boats in the days before the race, but the strong winds ultimately resulted in a fantastically exciting race. This race showed all the beauty of sailing: how serious a sporting performance is needed for success, and how strong the cohesion is in the sailing community. It was a joy to see that in addition to the absolute record, the monohull and classic records were also broken, proving the unparalleled strength and diversity of the field. Congratulations to all participants: the winners, the record holders, and those who fought the elements at the end of the field for more than a day. A huge thank you goes to the organizers, chief organizer András Holczhauser, race director Tibor Verebély and the nearly 150-person team who participated in the professional organization, as well as our supporters, without whom this wonderful celebration would not be possible.” – summed up the event Prof. Dr. László Gellér , president of the Hungarian Sailing Association.

The 57th Blue Ribbon Raiffeisen Grand Prix has come to an end, but its legend lives on in the records, stories and in all those who were part of Lake Balaton’s biggest sailing celebration on the water or on the shore.

Raiffeisen Bank is the title sponsor of the competition for the 7th year .

Overview by Aggie Reiter

10 Jul

Historical Records and Drama on the Stormy Windy 1st Day @ 57th Kékszalag Raiffeisen Grand Prix.

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Overall the First Day … The opening of the 57th Kékszalag Raiffeisen Grand Prix on Thursday brought a historic day: in challenging winds, sometimes exceeding 30 knots, not only was the absolute time record of the legendary lake-going race broken, but the entire podium field finished within the previous record. The victory was achieved for the sixth time on the MLS Raiffeisen Fifty-Fifty catamaran, steered by Márton Józsa, with an amazing time of 4 hours and 24 minutes. In the dramatic fight, the record for monohulls also became a thing of the past, while a significant part of the field is still fighting the elements on the water. The competition does not stop, the fight is in full swing.

This year’s Blue Ribbon will be remembered for its extraordinary circumstances. After the 9 a.m. start, the two most promising catamarans, the MLS Raiffeisen Fifty-Fifty and the RSM, immediately took the lead. In gusty winds exceeding thirty knots, they raced at tremendous speed towards Balatonkenese, where the Fifty-Fifty was the first to take its buoy. The Hungarian-designed and built two-masted catamaran finally won the start-finish, passing all course marks first, and crossed the finish line in Balatonfüred in 4 hours and 24 minutes, improving its own record set in 2023 by more than 40 minutes.

Márton Józsa, the helmsman of the MLS Raiffeisen Fifty-Fifty, set a new time record with a safety-oriented approach to the 57th Blue Ribbon. According to him, the boat still has reserves, and the current time result can be improved even in less stormy conditions.

The fantastic speed and excitement of the race is proven by the fact that both the second and third place finishers completed the distance within the previous record of 5 hours and 3 minutes. Sailing Team RSM came in second, just 9 minutes behind (4 hours and 33 minutes), steered by Róbert Vándor.

The third step of the podium was taken by Kürt-Team Kaáli, steered by Flóra Virág, with a time of 4 hours and 46 minutes, proving that the most professional teams are capable of outstanding performance even in the toughest conditions.

New high for singles too! The other big sensation of the day was the Yardstick Open sailing yacht Samurai Jack. The boat completed the Blue Ribbon in 8 hours and 40 minutes, breaking the 8 hours and 59 minutes monohull record set by Principessa in 2023.

Where there is victory, there is drama! However, the extraordinary wind posed serious challenges for a significant part of the field. Several catamarans capsized in the first hours of the race, and throughout the day there were continuous reports of technical problems, mast and sail breakages.

By Thursday evening, nearly fifty boats had given up the fight. Even big names such as the thirteen-time winner Litkey Farkas (Process Solutions) and his team, or Audax Django led by Zoltán Petrányi, were forced to give up the race.The story of the boat Sponsi was particularly dramatic. The members of the teams of Raffica and René Raffica, which were damaged in Monday’s storm, teamed up and set off on a boat that had been made competitive in three days, with the damaged mast of the Raffica. However, the mast could not withstand the load in the Balatonkenese Bay and broke, so their heroic struggle ended.

The Blue Ribbon is still going strong! While the top team is taking a well-deserved break, the majority of the Blue Ribbon field – more than 400 boats at the time of publication – is still on the water, continuing to fight to complete the Balaton roundabout course. There is huge competition among the classic boats and in the various boat classes. The events continue day and night, and the official Blue Ribbon time limit is 48 hours, meaning it can be completed until 9 a.m. on Saturday.

The competition is also being broadcast continuously, with a continuous live video broadcast provided by Magyar Telekom and minute-by-minute coverage updated day and night on kekszalag.hu . Another useful source of information is the GPS tracking , developed and operated by the Széchényi István University team in Győr, which allows the current position, speed and route of each Blue Ribbon boat to be tracked in real time. The tracking is available on track.hunsail.hu.

57th Blue Ribbon Sailing Competition Around Lake Balaton … update by Aggie Reiter

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