39th Peter Gast Shipping Regatta: The industry summit for shipping companies

The Peter Gast Schiffahrtsreggatta is one of the most successful industry regattas in German sailing. The organisers proved this once again at the 39th edition with 85 boats crossing the finish line. While the organisation for the 40th anniversary edition in 2023 is already underway, the participants enjoyed the beautiful summer and sailing weather this season. The participants enjoyed the post-corona edition with much appreciation and gratitude. Dr Uwe Leben's STP 65 "Milan" (Genuport Trade GmbH) once again took the line honours for the first boat to cross the finish line, ahead of Tilman Hansen's TP 52 "Outsider" and Steffen Müller's smart Brent 60 "Almost Nothing" (MC Capital AG). They were followed by the Carkeek 47 "Störtebeker" (Nordic Hamburg Shipmanagement GmbH) with Torben Mühlbach's team and the J/V 52 "Haspa Hamburg" with Katrina Westphal's crew.

The shipping regatta is a family festival, industry get-together and regatta challenge

"Our traditional family-and-friends evening on Friday at the Henningsen and Steckmest shipyard in Grauhöft already showed what a good mood the entire maritime industry is in right now," says Dieter Gast, organiser and Managing Director of Peter Gast Shipping together with his brother Christian. "Our shipping regatta is always like a family reunion for many of the participants, and we look forward to seeing many familiar faces again." Christian Gast explains: "The shipping regatta is more than just a networking event for the maritime industry. It unites decision-makers and employees from the industry with sailors and committed representatives of the large North German sailing clubs, whose voluntary support makes the regatta possible on this scale under excellent sporting conditions."

More wind than expected, sailing at its best

The starting signal for the first starting group of the 39th Peter Gast Schiffahrtsregatta was given punctually at nine o'clock in the morning off Schleimünde, after which they set off on an upwind course towards the Danish island of Ærø in strong winds of between 4 and 5 Beaufort from the north-north-west. "Many had expected much less wind and were surprised when they quickly had to go to the high edge to trim," says race director Alexander Prinz zu Schleswig-Holstein from the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein. "The last ten miles from Skjoldnæs, the spinnakers could still be set, so that everyone got their money's worth sailing."

None of the yachts in the seven starting groups crossed the line too early. There were around 100 boats on the water at the start, including spectator and event boats. The last boat reached the harbour at 3.23 pm. "The conditions were perfect for everyone. Also because we were completely spared the threat of heavy rain," says Daniel Rüter from the Altona-Oevelgönne Sailing Association, who was in charge of the finish boat with his team. "You only got wet from the spray water when sailing fast or on the motorboat." The winners were presented with a thunderous shot from an old cannon in Ærøskøbing harbour.

Dieter Gast: "A great picture with champagne sails at their very best"

The harbour was an impressive sight for all participants and the many spectators: in bright sunshine, the yachts, decorated with the flags of the shipping companies, maritime service providers and clubs, lay close together in the harbour. "It was a marvellous picture with champagne sails at their very best," said a delighted Dieter Gast. Artist Heinke Böhnert, a permanent crew member on the starting ship for many years, enthused: "It was a wonderful sailing regatta. The tenor of the participants was characterised by great gratitude. After the coronavirus restrictions and in view of the current crises, people are no longer taking everything for granted and appreciation is growing."

Before the award ceremony in the marquee set up especially for the event in Ærøskøbing harbour, all participants, led by a marching band from Svendborg in traditional uniforms, walked through the picturesque Danish town, which is also very popular for romantic wedding celebrations. "For our long-standing participants, the walk through Ærøskøbing is as much a part of the regatta as the mooring beer in the harbour and the lively party that lasts deep into the night," says Christian Gast. "New participants enjoy the varied programme, the beauty of this stretch of the Danish South Sea coast and the friendly, informal atmosphere where old friends meet and make new ones." Click here for the results of the individual starting groups and the overall standings.