The most traditional Hungarian sailing event, the round-the-lake long distance race for Lake Balaton’s Blue Ribbon starts this Thursday. The 43rd annual race, the Telekom Grand Prix, is seen as one of the most traditional sailing events in Europe and certainly the longest one.
The starting line is at Balatonfüred on the northern shore of the lake, at 9.00 a.m. More than 600 boats are expected to take place this year. The fastest boat sailing on the 145 km long racing course will be awarded the most precious trophy of the Lake Balaton, the Blue Ribbon.
Last year, a total of 3,125 sailors from 9 nations participated aboard 623 boats racing in 22 boat classes. The first Blue Ribbon race on Lake Balaton was held in 1934. During World War II, the race was cancelled in 1944 and resumed in 1947.
The current course record of 10 hours and 40 minutes was set in 1955 by István Németh’s team on board Nemere II, a 75 sqm Skerry Cruiser. The most succesful skipper in the history of the race is Farkas Litkey, a former Finn sailor and participant of the Atlanta Olympic competitions in 1998. He won the Blue Ribbon competition nine times.
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