After a rainy opening weekend, the results at the start of the Travemünde Week are naturally somewhat mixed. While the number of spectators was
“Unfortunately, we didn’t have TW weather on the first days,” said Frank Schärffe, Managing Director of Travemünder gGmbH, looking back on the weekend. “But the atmosphere was very relaxed, there were no negative incidents. And we were very lucky with the opening on Friday, hit a sunny weather window. It was wonderful, the guests celebrated together until late in the evening.”
Water from above also plays a role for the sailors, but the focus is more on the wind. And on Sunday, the wind compensated for the somewhat changeable Saturday. After a few races had to be cancelled on the first day, the races could be made up on Sunday and the programme was brought up to full strength. Also on Monday, with the exception of a coastal race on the sea course, all races succeeded. “The weather conditions are very changeable and therefore challenging for the race committees. But so far everything has worked out well and we are confident for the coming days. For the regattas, the changing wind is good because it shows who the best sailors are in all-round conditions,” said overall race director Anderl Denecke.
However, the retreat of the summer with rain and cooler temperatures has an impact on the crowds. Especially on the rainy evenings, the density of the public was lower than in the pre-Corona years. But during the day, many Travemünde visitors strolled along the promenades with umbrellas and rainproof clothing. And during the long dry spells, the festival area was very well filled. The Trave Race of the Formula 18 on Sunday was one of the best show races of the past years. Spectators lined up in rows of five or six along the Trave promenade. And the TW cult band United 4 also attracted a large audience in front of the König Pilsener stage on the beach. On the first three days, the number of visitors added up to about 120,000 people who visited the festival of the 134th Travemünde Week.