Peter Gast Schiffahrtsregatta 2025: Classics triumph at the 42nd edition of the race

On 1 September 2025, the 42nd Peter Gast Schiffahrtsregatta offered almost perfect sailing conditions for the 102 participating yachts. With a moderate southerly wind, large parts of the 30 nautical mile route from Schleimünde to Ærøskøbing could be sailed under spinnaker. Race director Alexander Prinz zu Schleswig-Holstein from the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein sent the fleet onto the course in seven groups with a spinnaker start. "We had wind from 200 degrees, fluctuating up to 50 degrees, plus zero to 15 knots of wind," he reported. The ocean-going tug "Fairplay 39" from the Hamburg-based company Fairplay served as the starting ship, while the "Partisan" from the Danish Home Defence Force acted as the safety ship.

Surprising weather conditions cause favourites to fall

The changing wind conditions made for an unexpected race result. While the classic yachts that started in the first group sailed swiftly to the finish, the large, modern racing yachts were caught in a lull. This allowed the smaller boats to catch up from behind with fresh wind, which caused surprises in the placings. "This was not a day for boats with a wide stern," summarised Sebastian Ropohl, Offshore Director of the NRV, who took part with his Class40 "Cantaloop". At the course mark off Skjoldnæs, the spinnaker and gennaker had to be recovered before the finish line was reached on a mooring line. Dieter Gast emphasised: "The decision to start downwind was the right one - the participants would have arrived too late in Ærøskøbing if they had had to cross the start line."

The "Senta", a spreader gaff ketch built in 1928, benefited in particular from the prevailing weather conditions. Owner Holger Schmidt, whose crew included multiple Admiral's Cup winner Albert Schweizer, sailed confidently to victory in starting group 1, won the classic yacht classification and also won the overall yardstick classification. "The old lady has got wings today," said a delighted Holger Schmidt at the evening prize-giving ceremony. The One Off "Bunai" with skipper Viktor Scheder-Bieschin, an apprentice at Peter Döhle, came second in the Yardstick classification, ahead of the new Cape 31 "Outsider" with skipper Bo Teichmann, who was competing for the MTK Group.

The overall ORC winner was the Crest 910 "Fru Antje", registered for Seacotec. "That was quality time under spinnaker today," said a delighted Holger Jacobs from Yacht-Club Langballigau. In second and third place were the "Uca" (KYC) with skipper Gunnar Knierim and the Beneteau First 36.7 "Karma" with skipper Robert Wenndorf from the Rostock sailing club Citybootshafen for the Strela Shiprepair Yard. The 86-foot "Uca", skippered by Gunnar Knierim and sailing for MPC Container Ships, was the first ship in harbour to reach Ærøskøbing - despite a broken gennaker.

Promoting young talent and special awards

The regatta also provided a platform for young sailing talent. The "Döhle Azubi Crew" with the "Bunai" was the youngest team to win the special prize from Galerie Deichstraße. Katrina Westphal, who, as in previous years, had the helm of the "Haspa Hamburg" from the Hamburgischer Verein Seefahrt, was honoured as the best skipper. Among those on board were Haspa board spokesman Harald Vogelsang, HVS chairman Hanns Ostmeier and pianist Joja Wendt. In addition to the bright red flagship "Haspa Hamburg", the training association's other two club yachts also took part in the regatta: the crew of the Carkeek 47 "Störtebeker" with skipper Thorben Mühlbach was supported by employees of Nordic Hamburg Shipmanagement, while the "Broader View Hamburg" was skippered by HVS board member Joachim Brünner for the ship certifier DNV.

However, sporting results are of secondary importance in the shipping regatta, which originated from a private race organised by several shipping merchants. The most important thing is that all participants have fun sailing and socialising in the marquee at the harbour in the evening. "It's like LinkedIn in real life," said one participant. "You meet lots of people, get talking and expand your network in a relaxed atmosphere."

In the harbour, the yachts lay close together in a packet. The flags of the participating shipping companies, insurance companies, banks and maritime service providers as well as many North German sailing clubs adorned the foresides of the ships and were atmospherically illuminated in the evening hours. "Shipping and sailors together form the foundation of the regatta," said Christian Gast. "We would like to thank all the owners who make their boats available for the regatta or bring guests along."

Festive atmosphere in Ærøskøbing

All yachts were greeted in the harbour with the ringing of a bell from the pier. When Dieter Gast on the "No Excuse" and Christian Gast on the "Sexy Lady" arrived, a salute was fired from a small but loud cannon. Numerous locals and tourists stood on the pier and applauded the arriving yachts and their crews. Alexander Gast, chief organiser of the regatta and successor to veteran sailor Hans-Joachim Lemcke, took part in the regatta on the "Edelweiss".

Many took advantage of the midsummer weather for a quick dip on the nearby beach or directly in the harbour basin before swapping their shorts and sailing gear for more elegant attire. Afterwards, led by a traditional marching band, they went on a tour through the picturesque alleyways of the small town to the large marquee at the harbour, where the award ceremony and subsequent party took place. The entertaining honouring of the successful yachts and crews was carried out by presenter Kristin Recke together with Alexander Gast.

At the award ceremony, Mayor Peter Hansted presented the prize for the "First ship in harbour" and emphasised the connection between the regatta and the municipality in his short speech Ærø as well as the shared responsibility for nature conservation: "The sea is not doing well, we have to save it together. We are friends - and we must work together to protect the oceans."

"For over four decades, the network character has united all participants, sponsors and supporters," said Dieter Gast. "We are proud to bring together the second largest regatta fleet in northern Germany after the Welcome Race for Kiel Week - and we are already looking forward to the 43rd regatta next year, which will take place on the penultimate weekend in August 2026."

The three clubs Kieler Yacht-Club, Norddeutscher Regatta Verein and Segelvereinigung Altona-Oevelgönne made the sporting organisation of the regatta possible. While a joint team from the NRV and Kieler Yacht-Club organised the start, the SVAOe with Daniel Rüter and Jan Keppler monitored the finishes and evaluated the results.

Results:

Yardstick overall ranking:

• 1st place: "Senta" (Spreizgaffelketsch, built in 1928) - Skipper Holger Schmidt
• 2nd place: "Bunai" (One Off) - Skipper Viktor Scheder-Bieschin (Peter Döhle)
• 3rd place: "Outsider" (Cape 31) - Skipper Bo Teichmann ("Mtk" Group)

"ORC" overall:

• 1st place: "Fru Antje" (Crest 910) - Skipper Holger Jacobs (Yacht-Club Langballigau/Seacotec)
• 2nd place: "Uca" - Skipper Gunnar Knierim
• 3rd place: "Karma" (Beneteau First 36.7) - Skipper Robert Wenndorf (Rostocker Segelverein Citybootshafen/Strela Shiprepair Yard)

Special prices:

• First ship in harbour: "Uca" (86 feet) - Skipper Gunnar Knierim ( MPC Container Ships)
• Best female skipper: Katrina Westphal ("Haspa Hamburg", Hamburgischer Verein Seefahrt)
• Youngest team: "Döhle Azubi Crew" with the "Bunai" (special prize from Galerie Deichstraße)