The Brassfahrt celebrated its premiere five years ago. The event originated a joint idea by Matthias Renner, Olav Arne Nehls and Timo Manske from Lübeck and Travemünde. The enthusiastic single-handed sailors wanted to attract minis to the Baltic Sea in 2022 without huge expense. The event was initially planned as a one-off event. It has since become a single and double-handed regatta, which was held for the first time in 2022 and will be held for the fifth time this coming weekend over Whitsun.
Five groups at the fifth Brassfahrt
Seaworthy keel yachts and multihulls that are sailed solo or by duos can take part in the Brassfahrt. Similar to the Danish single-handed classic Silverrudder, the boats are divided into five groups according to their lengths:
- Group I: LH < 25 ft (Mini)
- Group II: 25 ft ≤ LH < 30 ft (Small)
- Group III: 30 ft ≤ LH < 35 ft (Medium)
- Group IV: 35 ft ≤ LH < 40 ft (Large)
- Group V: LH ≥ 40 ft (X-Large)
Within the individual groups, the participants sail against each other. The fastest single-handed boat in each group is honoured separately. There will be an ORC Club and a Yardstick classification for each group. The participants can decide for themselves via Manage2Sail whether their boat with DH measurement certificate should be rated for ORC Club or for Yardstick.
Starters from Denmark and Poland head for the Brassfahrt
According to co-founder Matthias Renner, the fact that the Brassfahrt is so popular is due to "its incredibly familiar character". And also because "the pressure to perform here is not so high". Renner also talks about how many committed and friendly young people make up the team of helpers who make the Baltic Sea regatta a wonderful Whitsun experience under sail.
"We are expecting over 90 yachts of various calibres again this year. We have been able to attract more participants from Poland and Denmark this year, making us more international," announced the organisers a few days before the starting signal on 23 May. After check-in and the skipper's briefing the day before, the boats will set sail from 10 a.m. on the Saturday before Whitsun. The starts are scheduled between 12 noon and 2 pm.
The challengers have to master a course of around 125 nautical miles through the Bay of Lübeck and Mecklenburg. The motto of the Brassfahrt: "A night through the bay." The fastest boats are expected back at the finish early the next morning. Spectators can follow the regatta at Fly-bys after the start from the Nordermole in Travemünde, but also from the beach. The starts will be commented on live.
The fastest Brassfahrt of 2025 is back again
As in previous years, the organisers are expecting a full house in Travemünde this coming weekend - both for the starters and the spectators. Adventurous family and amateur crews as well as experienced long-distance gourmets will be at the start. The range of participating boats is huge.
Two of the five winning crews from last year are back: Patrik Heinrichs and Thomas Weigel are defending their title in the Small group with the Esse 850 "Jynx". The power players at this year's Brassfahrt also include Last year's winner Hasso Hoffmeister and Sven Winterberg with the Akilaria 950 "Whiteout"who had prevailed in the medium group in 2025. Ralf Kock with Claudia Prehn and the Archambault A-35 "Skuum" and Jens Hufnagel with Thomas Panten on the class sister "Chenapan" are also back in the race.
In Group Large, last year's solo winner Arno Böhnert has just won with Christian Heerman and the First 36 "Salicornia". successfully contested the Baltic 500will not be defending his title from last year. Even without last year's winner "Vineta", there are several contenders in the battle for group victory in X-Large. Click here to see the registered boats.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
