The pictures show it: this year a real doldrums race took place, "chance sailing". But after an almost completely dead calm week of high pressure, at least the worst premonitions were not fulfilled, according to the organisers of the Hamburg Summer Classics: "A light, easterly wind was blowing, but it was of thermal origin, which effectively overrode all the supposed Alster rules."
However, it was enough for an exciting edition of the popular classic regatta in the heart of the time-honoured Hanseatic city, and the only slight breeze did nothing to dampen the mood.