Vegvisir Race 2026: Strong winds and the prospect of new records
The Vegvisir Race 2026 begins on Thursday 3 September in Nyborg, Denmark. The long-distance regatta is organised by Shorthand ECM and the Nyborg Sejlforening. The race combines coastal passages with open-water sections that are challenging from a navigational point of view. It is sailed either single-handed or in pairs.
A total of 114 boats have entered the two races over 100 and 200 nautical miles. With 71 yachts, Germany makes up by far the largest part of the field. There are 29 entries from Denmark and three from Sweden. There are also participants from Austria, France, Belgium and England. However, it remains to be seen whether all the crews that have entered will actually take part. According to the organiser, a quarter of the participants had already withdrawn two days before the start.
Vegvisir Race 2026 with a strong westerly wind
The weather forecast suggests a fast but challenging Vegvisir Race. Steady winds from westerly directions of around six on the Beaufort scale are expected. During the second night of the regatta, from Friday into Saturday, gusts could reach as high as seven on the Beaufort scale. This would pose a particular challenge for smaller boats and single-handed sailors. In the narrow passages between the Danish islands, currents, traffic and numerous course changes will also come into play.
Two routes wind their way through the Danish archipelago
Since 2025, the Vegvisir Race has offered just two routes instead of three. The crews choose between a course of around 200 nautical miles and the shorter option of around 100 nautical miles.
The single-handed sailors competing in the long-distance race will set off on Thursday morning at 10.00. The remaining participants in the long race will follow in the early evening. The race committee may set the course to run either clockwise or anti-clockwise.
In one direction, the 200-nautical-mile circuit from Nyborg initially heads south-west through the Danish South Sea. After passing Svendborg, the route heads westwards into the Flensburg Fjord. It then turns south, past Langeland, and eastwards into the Småland Channel and round Femø. From there, the participants sail north again and back to Nyborg.
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The short-distance race starts on Friday evening
The participants in the 100-nautical-mile race will set off on Friday, 4 September, at 5 pm. Their course will remain within the Småland fairway, leading from Nyborg towards Guldborgsund and back. If the westerly wind persists, the crews could initially benefit from tailwinds. On the return leg, however, there could be longer stretches sailing into the wind.
The fleet ranges from older GRP boats such as the Scampi 30 and Albin Express, through three X-99s, to modern pleasure craft and racing yachts, including nine Seascape 27s, three Dehler 30 One Designs, one J/122 and several Dragonfly trimarans.
The fact that classic yachts, fast production yachts and performance-oriented multihulls sail the same courses is part of the concept behind the Vegvisir Race. They are divided into the categories Small, Medium and Large, as well as Multihull Small and Multihull Large.
Deadline: Saturday, 5 pm
There is a single deadline for all participants. The boats must have reached the finish line in Nyborg by 5.00 pm on Saturday 5 September. The strong wind could help some crews to complete the course well before the time limit expires. For others, the main priority is likely to be getting the boat and crew safely through the course.
Fabian Boerger
Editor News & Panorama