From 29 to 31 May 2026, the International Lake Constance Week in Constance was one of the country's top sailing events, with around 160 participating yachts with around 1,200 sailors from the countries bordering the Swabian Sea, as well as from New Zealand, Scandinavia and Italy. However, what was planned as a sporting highlight turned into a special challenge: this year, inclusion took centre stage alongside sport - the inclusive sailing days of the Baden-Württemberg State Sailing Association took place under the motto "All aboard - water sports for all".
When the summer weather lets the sails down
The midsummer weather came with a catch: the crews were to compete over four days - racers in the ORC classes, Olympic classes and classics. However, weak winds caused major problems for the race organisers. Several planned regattas had to be postponed or cancelled while the crews waited patiently on the water or in the harbour.
On the final day, there was some movement in the field after all. The rising wind enabled the organisers to hold important races and bring the event to a sporting conclusion. The sailors took the adverse conditions in their stride - patience is just part of the business.
Between tradition and modernity
The International Lake Constance Week initially took place from 1909 to 1972 and was revived for its 100th anniversary in 2009. In 1952, YACHT wrote about Lake Constance Week as the "most important European water sports event".
Every year, classic and modern sailing yachts travel to Lake Constance Week from far and wide - noble mahogany yachts, sports boats and high-tech carbon racers represent yachting from over a century ago. This mixture is what makes the event so special: Tradition meets state-of-the-art sailing technology.
Harbour hustle and bustle instead of regatta stress
What was missing on the water was made up for by the programme on land. The International Lake Constance Week awaited its visitors with colourful harbour hustle and bustle, action-packed water shows and an interesting water sports and boat exhibition, while the lakeside promenade invited visitors to take a leisurely stroll along the maritime market - with fine culinary specialities, sailing accessories and care products.
A varied programme of cultural and sporting events such as rowing competitions, sailing regattas, water ski cups, harbour concerts and shows rounded off the Lake Constance Week, while BSB boat tours to the regattas, exhibitions by model boat builders, presentations by water police and fire brigade boats and spectacular water ski shows ensured plenty of action on the water.
European Championship and focus on inclusion
This year, the European Championship for L30 boats was also sailed during Lake Constance Week. Special attention was paid to the topic of inclusion: the programme offered a digital transmission system and a report for the blind at selected competitions in order to make sporting events accessible to people with visual impairments.
At the start of each season, over 1000 international participants and almost 80,000 visitors take advantage of this unique platform for mutual exchange and sporting competition. In 2026, the Lake Constance Week proved once again that it is more than just a regatta event - it is a maritime festival with international appeal.
Conclusion: When the wind is missing, the spirit remains
Despite the meteorological challenges, the 61st International Lake Constance Week proved its strength: the combination of sport, culture and sociability carries the event even in times of low wind. Water sports enthusiasts were always able to follow the competitions up close from spectator boats on the lake or on land on a large screen on the harbour square. The late arrival of the wind on the final day gave the event the sporting finish that sailors and spectators had hoped for.
