More than 600 people and 70 boats turned out for the Peter Gast Schiffahrtsregatta, where boats race between Schleimunde in northern Germany to the small Danish island of Aeroskobing.
The popular sailing event has been held annually for nearly 40 years but was cancelled last year due to the pandemic.
So the staging of the 38th regatta, in the last weekend of August, took on more importance for its shipbroker hosts Dieter and Christian Gast.
"This year, we organised the entire shipping event a little bit smaller and quieter," Christian said. "With only 70 participating sailing yachts, we had around a quarter less participants."
Safety precautions were rolled out including a mobile Covid-19 testing station, and currywurst and fries being served directly instead of a traditional buffet.
Guests stood in relaxed groups and were happy to be able to spend an evening together in a large gathering again.
"It was important to underline the networking character of the event and to give the guests plenty of opportunities to talk to each other,” Dieter said.
Shipping participants in what is the largest privately organised regatta in Germany came from Oldendorff Carriers, Buss Group, Hammonia Reederei, Harren & Partner, Auerbach Schifffahrt, Peter Dohle Schiffahrts, Orion Reederei and Flensburger Schiffbau.
“Everybody was happy to get together again,” Dieter said.
Sailing skills
The event itself proved a serious test of sailing skills.
Strong winds of up to 26 knots and heavy rain forced organisers to opt for a shorter course, sailing upwind for 20 miles (32 km) to Skjoldnaes.
That did not prevent the winning crew of the STP 65 Milan — skippered by Uwe Lebens of Genuport Trade — from completing the course in just under 3.5 hours.
The regatta finished with the traditional parade through the picturesque town of Aeroskobing, led by a marching band in traditional uniform.
“The shipping regatta is a hybrid event. What is offered to the shipping people here is half sport, half work,” said Hanns Ostmeier, chairman of the Hamburger Verein Seefahrt.
