The sporting spectacle of Travemünde Week 2026 leaves nothing to be desired: among the 26 events between July 18 and 26, there are 17 international championships, a German Open, and a Northern German Championship. This concentration of championship events is remarkable — even for Travemünde Week, which always hosts a vast array of international championships. The program attracts not only large fleets from all over the world across various classes to the Baltic coast but also highly decorated stars of the sailing world.
The raw numbers are impressive: around 1,500 sailors will compete, hailing from 29 nations and representing major sailing countries like Australia and the USA, as well as nations as diverse as Angola and Grenada.
The RS Feva class brings the largest fleet to the starting line; by early June, the class had already registered 130 entries. This youth class will be competing for the World Championship title. They are surpassed in numbers by the RS Aero class, which is sending 190 boats onto the racecourses — though these are divided into four sub-classes, each competing for both European and Junior World Championship titles.
Additional World Championship titles are up for grabs in the two RS Tera classes (Pro and Sport) and the Vaurien World Championship (sponsored by Spraga). Meanwhile, the Nordic Folkboats will compete for the Gold Cup, the class’s most prestigious trophy. Seven further European Championship titles will be contested across other RS classes.
To manage this mammoth program, Sports Director Jens Kath and Principal Race Officer Anderl Denecke have activated ten racecourses, managed in collaboration with organizing teams from the Lübeck Yacht Club, NRV Hamburg, Zurich Yacht Club, and Berlin Yacht Club. Then there is the show arena on the Trave River, offering spectators expert commentary on the afternoon Trave Races and — on Wednesday, July 22 — the Volksbank Rotspon Cup, the Mayor’s Race.
The starting gun for the first sporting event of Travemünde Week will fire immediately following the opening ceremony on Friday, July 17, at 6:05 p.m. After Mayor Jan Lindenau gives the “Hoist Flag” signal, Social Affairs Minister Aminata Touré will wave the state flag to send the offshore sailors off on their long-distance race, which takes them through the night and around the island of Fehmarn. Yacht crews will also compete in “up-and-down” races and costal races during Travemünde Week.
In addition to international championships, Travemünde Week features a variety of ranking regattas. Classes ranging from single-handed dinghies — such as the Finn and the Olympia-Jolle — to Hobie and F18 catamarans and several keelboat classes are all represented. The J/22 fleet will traditionally compete for the German Open title off the coast of Travemünde, while the Dragon class will crown its North German champions on the Baltic Sea — serving as a preview of next year’s Gold Cup.
Once again, Travemünde Week offers a program catering to sailors of all ages, skill levels, and ambitions.
