Dear readers,

Thursday was the shortest day of the year. From now on, things are looking up, at least in terms of daylight hours. But it's still a long time until the start of the season. Some sailors may be feeling the winter blues.

But there is a remedy. We can also indulge in our hobby in winter. First and foremost, of course, there is the work on the boat: winter work, repairs, new purchases. For some, winter is also the most intensive time to socialise with fellow club members. If you rarely meet up during the season because everyone is travelling, it is something of a ritual in many places to greet each other in the hall at the weekend, help each other, drink a mulled wine and chat. For some, winter is the second sailing season.

However, there are also a number of activities that can be used to shorten the seemingly endless dark time of year: sailing on the beach or visiting a maritime museum, planning the next cruise or visiting a boat show, reading a good book or continuing your education - with our webinars, for example.

• Winter tips: The best activities for sailors in the cold season

Or listen to a good podcast. Like the new YACHT podcast, which had its acoustic maiden voyage yesterday. In the new format, we take a look behind the scenes of some YACHT articles, talk to interesting sailors and offer knowledge and entertainment.

• You can listen here ...

But I think the best way to combat winter melancholy is to keep reminding ourselves how privileged we are as sailors. In difficult times, with war in the Middle East and Ukraine, with inflation and rising energy costs, with fears about the future or a storm surge of the century, fortunately not much has changed for us as sailors so far.

Of course, mooring fees and charter prices are also rising, as are price lists for yachts. Maybe that's why some people have to cut back a little on their hobby, but what is that compared to real crises? The sea is still wide, the boat still floats, and what does it need to cast off? The wind is still free, we hardly burn any fuel, so an increase in the price per litre doesn't make much difference. If the marina becomes too expensive for us, we can drop anchor, we can do things ourselves again where we may have previously used the services of others.

But above all, we can escape. We can leave fears and bad news behind us and enjoy real freedom. Who can say that about themselves? In view of this, anyone who complains about the long winter break is doing so at a high level. And as mentioned at the beginning, the days are getting longer again, cheer up, it's getting light back there, as the saying goes.

On behalf of all my colleagues, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2024!

Lars Bolle,

Editor-in-chief watersports digital

PS: The big review of the year will be published here in a week's time. Subscribe to the free newsletter now and don't miss a thing!

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The week in pictures:

Recommended reading from the editorial team:

YACHT webinars

Beginner webinars for everyone. Register now!

On 2 November, we launched our extensive range of interesting online lectures on the most important topics relating to sailing. Let our experts get you in shape for the new season. In a series of webinars, we share practical knowledge and our experience on topics that concern beginners and experts alike

• Click here for all previous "YACHT Week" columns