Experience shows that a number of entries trickle in during the two weeks before the regatta starts. Hans Genthe, press spokesman for the North Sea Week, is sailing himself this year and speaks from his own experience. "This year, many boats are not yet in the water due to the long cold spell. We ourselves hesitated for a long time before registering because we weren't sure whether we would have our ship ready to sail by the start. When I see all the ships ashore in Wedel, I think we're not the only ones." Every year, many ships only register after the closing date.
In addition, the number of entries is generally lower in years with the Edinburgh Regatta than in years with the Pantaenius Round Skagen Regatta. In 2013, the Helgoland-Edinburgh Regatta will start again on Whit Monday at the end of the 79th North Sea Week. This race is both a highlight and a challenge: the offshore regatta across the open North Sea and the Dogger Bank. The participants usually need three to five days to cover the 460 nautical miles to Edinburgh.
Fortunately, new participants were also attracted to the North Sea Week, with as many as 32 yachts registering for the Family Cruiser Cup. With this registration result, the North Sea Week can boast that it is successfully doing something for regatta sport in northern Germany.
