MidsummerSail: The yellow buoy is calling - Rokord chase in the Baltic Sea marathon

It was 2022 skippers Mathias Müller von Blumencron, Felix Oehme and Wolf Scheder-Bieschin who gave the Agora direct MidsummerSail set a new record. The trio mastered the 900 nautical miles from Wismar to the small Swedish town of Töre in 4 days, 19 hours, 7 minutes and 46 seconds. At the time, they beat the record by almost a whole day with Mathias Müller von Blumencron's former Class40 "Red".

MidsummerSail: "So much light!"

The skipper also described the race enthusiastically beyond the record cheers: "It was wonderful with magical moments. The great thing is: you're sailing towards the light. And every 24 hours it gets so much brighter. The colours we had at the end were also great. The sunsets and sunrises here last forever - it was a great experience."

Since then, the "Red" track record has not been broken in three further editions. This year, it is once again the benchmark for the fastest. On 21 June, when the first weekend of Kieler Woche gets underway, the starting signal will be given in Wismar for the 11th MidsummerSail, whose previous edition 2025 "Flying Dragon" and "Lightworks" had won in the multi- and monohulls.

This year's MidsummerSail will once again begin in the classic manner at the southernmost point of the Baltic Sea in Wismar and end after 900 nautical miles in Töre, Sweden, at the famous yellow buoy. This marks the northernmost point of the Baltic Sea and is the favourite and most important photo motif for all finishers. "That's why we do it!" says Steffen Müller and laughs. Most of the sailors arriving at the finish line climb onto the buoy and take photos. The buoy symbolises: We've made it!

The starting signal is given at midsummer

The starting shots for the MidsummerSail will be fired from traditional muskets on the pier in Wendorf by members of the Hanse e.V. 1990 shooting club dressed in historical Swedish uniforms. The first of four launches will take place on 21 June from 1 pm. The sun will then have reached its highest point of the year, as the midsummer weekend falls on 19 to 21 June this year. 21 June is the longest day of the year. The starting signal for the fourth and final group is scheduled for 1.45 pm.

The backdrop could hardly be more fitting in view of the big Swedish festival, as the starting line runs between the so-called Swedish heads in Wismar Bay. Crews on 81 registered yachts want to take up the challenge. The field offers a wide range from high-tech racers to family boats of all types that sailing has to offer. There are prizes for the fastest monohulls and multihulls, the smallest boat at the finish line, the smallest crew at the finish line, as well as ORC and IRC medals and a commemorative medal for every finisher.

Gorm Gondesen's Knierim multihull "Nicca" is one of those that could challenge the record this year. "The boat is well equipped, light and in very good condition," says crew member and Knierim yacht building partner Steffen Müller. The crew of four is completed by Tim Kunze and Till Eggert. The quartet naturally has their sights set on the "Red" record. Do they have a chance of breaking the record? "We can only answer that cautiously: it depends on the weather," says Steffen Müller." He and the crew are in the race, "firstly because we haven't done it before, and secondly because it's an outstanding opportunity to sail to a place you would otherwise never get to".

MidsummerSail: the longest and toughest Baltic Sea regatta

All participants have to be prepared for anything. Launched in 2016, the Agora direct MidsummerSail race lives up to its reputation as the longest and toughest Baltic Sea regatta time and time again. It surprises its participants anew every year. The conditions range from calm to stormy. Some experience complete isolation from the field, but on the other hand also the light so beautifully described by Mathias Müller von Blumencron in the long summer nights of the north.

Just over a week ago, the Swedish Coast Guard added a request to the crews' to-do list. The Scandinavians wrote in an email to the organisers: "During the 2025 Midsummer Regatta, many sailing boats crossed seal reserves along the coast on their outward and return journeys. We would like to prevent this in 2026 and therefore ask you to inform your participants about the areas where violations were detected in 2025 so that no one inadvertently violates environmental laws."