On the Whitsun weekend, the deep-sea sailors regularly gather on Heligoland, along with thousands of tourists who don't want to miss out on the North Sea Week spectacle. The North Sea Week is one of the biggest regatta events in Germany. How it came about.
In 1922, the Weser Yacht Club launches a new regatta series for the entire coast. The idea spontaneously inspires the ocean sailors. After the first regattas took place in the estuaries of the Elbe and Weser, Helgoland was the venue at Whitsun 1925. In the race around the island, 30 yachts sailed, an impressive number for the time.
Regatta sailing is not the only strenuous activity during the North Sea Week. Once you've proved your seaworthiness, you show stamina in partying. The established meeting places on the island are still notorious.
The North Sea Week is being organised for the 75th time this year and is the largest offshore regatta in the German Bight. The ranking factor is equivalent to that of Kiel Week. You can qualify for the Fastnet Race via the regatta to Edinburgh in Scotland.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
