German Classics: Gallery - the strongest impressions from the weekend in Laboe

This year, the race committee was faced with the challenge of organising courses that did not overlap with the regattas taking place at the same time to mark the 50th anniversary of the Olympic regattas. The solution was Friday regattas on the inner fjord and a long course on Saturday along the eastern shore of Kiel's outer fjord.

Summer weather

The weather conditions were summery, with a correspondingly unstable wind characterised by thermals, which hardly blew at all on Friday and finally blew steadily from westerly directions on Saturday. On Friday, 45 of the 100 or so classic sailors taking part crossed the finish line within the limit, on Saturday it was 55. Due to the weather conditions, some of the participants did not even set off on the regatta course.

• Friday's results
• Results from Saturday

Traditional yachts

The fleet consisted of the traditionally built boats of the members of the Friends of Classic Yachts. The spectrum ranges from classic dinghies to open keelboats, small and large cruiser yachts through to large racing and ocean-going yachts. Many of them already have or will soon have a whole century in their wake, and quite a few have already been extensively overhauled or even completely restored several times.

Mother of the classic regattas

The German Classics is the oldest and largest event of its kind in Germany. It goes back to the "Veterans' Regatta", which was launched in 1989 and quickly developed into the nucleus for a veritable renaissance of the North German classic fleet. Many yachts owe their survival to the spirit of this meeting, which prompted the owners to preserve and restore their yachts to their original condition.

Excellent restoration

To this day, people still keep a close eye on who competes for the annual restoration prize awarded in Laboe and which owner ultimately wins it. This year Dirk Lehmann family won the prize for the 14-year restoration of the Wustrau pointed gaff "Troll" built in 1924.

Extensive land programme

The German Classics in Laboe also exerts a magical attraction on numerous guests year after year. The extensive shore programme with live music of various genres, a rich culinary offer and the impressive picture show of the regattas by yacht photographer Ekke Erben is also enjoyed by numerous sailors year after year.

• German Classics: Restoration prize for "Troll"