The Vegvisir Race is bearing the full brunt of late-summer Scandinavian weather. Even at the skippers’ briefing for the single-handed sailors on Wednesday evening, there was a palpable sense of nervousness in the air, as Jochen Rieker, editor of the Yacht ... he recounted. Outside, showers were passing through; inside the almost empty marquee, the patter of rain meant that at times it was almost impossible to make out a single word.
Race Director Morten Brand was still discussing the general direction of the course with the skippers. The question on everyone’s mind was whether the 200-nautical-mile circuit should be sailed clockwise or anti-clockwise.
The long route has been cancelled altogether for some
On Thursday, shortly before the start, the race organisers took the necessary action: the 200-nautical-mile course was cancelled entirely for the participants competing in the solo category.
Prior to this, the organisers had explored various options for shortening the course. However, the mandatory six-hour rest period in particular would have posed a problem for the slower boats. They would not have been expected back at the finish line until Saturday afternoon or evening – precisely when, according to the current forecast, wind speeds of up to 35 knots are set to set in.
The decision is therefore likely to bring a sense of relief to many crews, despite their disappointment. As early as Thursday morning, the weather conditions were anything but inviting. Strong gusts and persistent rain showers created conditions that were of little pleasure even to the most hardened sailors.
Start of the Double-Handed 200-nautical-mile race
Despite the unfavourable weather forecast, 37 boats lined up at the start of the double-handed 200-nautical-mile regatta. Around 66 yachts had originally entered the race. The fleet was divided into three starting groups and then set off into the challenging conditions.
The Small class is particularly well represented: with twelve boats at the start, it makes up the largest sub-field in the 200-nautical-mile race. The participation of the Seascape 27 is also encouraging. Five of the nine boats entered in this class decided to start despite the weather forecast.
So the race is well and truly underway, even though the conditions are likely to put the crews through their paces. The combination of strong gusts, rain and the forecast of ever-increasing wind speeds is already creating a sense of excitement immediately after the start.
In order to avoid the strongest winds as far as possible, the route of the Vegvisir Race was adjusted at short notice and shortened by around 25 nautical miles. Instead of heading towards the Flensburg Fjord, the route now runs past Ærø, along its western side, towards the Little Belt and then into the Svendborg Sound.
The 100-mile race is also under scrutiny
Attention now turns to the 100-nautical-mile race, which is scheduled to start on Friday at 5.00 pm. However, the race organisers are remaining flexible here too.
Participants have already been informed that several shortened course options are being prepared. The aim is to ensure the fleet returns safely to Nyborg in good time, before the forecast strong winds reach the sailing area.
As a result, this year’s Vegvisir Race is very much being dictated by the weather. Rather than chasing records and choosing strategic routes, the focus is currently on safety considerations and the question of how much of the originally planned route can actually be sailed.
The mood amongst the crews is understandably subdued. And as if the regatta needed yet another ominous sign, on Thursday morning a bloated rat drifted past the stern of one of the competing boats, belly-up. Complete with white, slimy fur.
Whether it’s a bad omen or just a curious find in the water: the coming hours will show whether the scaled-down version of the Vegcisir Race 2026 can go ahead under acceptable conditions.
More information you can find here.
The tracker for the Vegvisir Race 2026 is here to be found
Fabian Boerger
Editor News & Panorama