Denmark
1st tune-up of the classic twelve: with boom through the eye of the needle
The passage of the large twelve-man boats through the narrow entrance to Dyvig on Alsen - the picture shows the passage of the bridge in Sonderburg - is a spectacle in a class of its own. The boats meet here in the run-up to the classic regattas on the Flensburg Fjord to train together. Sailing takes place on the Als Fjord and in the evening the boats are moored in front of the idyllically situated Badehotel.
Finland
2. viaporin: between the stones
Denmark
3rd Wooden Boat Festival, Risør: Scandinavian family festival
Hardly any other classic car gathering is characterised by such originality as the Trebåt Festival in Risør in southern Norway. Anything that floats is allowed to take part - it just has to be made of wood. This is where work boats meet yachts, sailing boats and motorboats. Since 1983, the harbour basin of this tranquil village in the middle of the archipelago has been transformed into a mosaic of various floating museums for an entire weekend at the beginning of August. For example, nowhere else can you find such an impressive fleet of former lifeboats and pilot boats created by the famous Norwegian designer Colin Archer as here.
Unlike at other classic events, visitors have to pay admission. In return, however, they can experience something from the colourful shore programme almost around the clock; the regattas are not the main focus. According to the organisers, more than 10,000 visitors come to the Trebåtfestival every year, and despite the crowds, they know how to prevent the event from becoming a simple city festival.
Also, hardly any foreigners get lost here, which is why the information boards on the ships mainly provide information in Norwegian about what kind of vehicles they are. Stalls sell everything from equipment for old ships to fully functional engines from the last century. You won't find any maritime paraphernalia or shanty choirs. Instead, there are boat-building courses, a wide variety of specialist lectures, activities for children and an extensive musical programme.
What's more, visitors can go on board many of the traditional ships during an open ship and have the crews show and explain everything in detail. If you're lucky, you might even spot the Norwegian King Harald among the participants, who likes to take to the starting line in his yacht "Sira" and mingle with the sailors.
Norway
4th Øresund Regatta: The main thing is wood
What has been taking place on the Øresund since 2018 can be described as typically Danish. The Øresund på Langs is a regatta for all types of wooden sailing vessels. The participants meet in Svanemølle on Friday evening and set off from Copenhagen on Saturday morning. The finish is Helsingør, where there will be a party on Saturday evening before the return journey on Sunday. A wide variety of classics will be at the start, from pointed creels and skerry cruisers to the Danske Jagt.
