blu26 - International Class Association

In 2020, the blu26 class was first Swiss sailing class to courageously hold its Swiss Championship, and while the 2021 season was somewhat shortened due to Corona, it was no less attractive. After several 2-day, intensive training events in Zug in the months of April and May, the blu26 sailors met in August for the traditional Fleet Race in St. Moritz, and in September for the blu26 Cup Bayern at Tegernsee, Germany.

Last weekend was time for the final big showdown in Zurich! From 1 to 3 October, the blu26 Swiss Championship took place for the first time in the Zurich lake basin. The team from Denmark secured its first championship title and victory, winning the 2021 bluboats Cup.

"It was a great event from start to finish," says Thomas Grob, President of the blu26 sailing class. "The weather played along and the organizing committee from the Zurich Yacht Club planned the championship outstandingly." The event opened with a festive reception at the Zurich Yacht Club on Thursday evening, followed by the annual general meeting of the blu26 class.

On Friday, 14 sailing teams met on the starting line, including the rookie team Macro, made possible by the "blu26 Rookie Initiative". No wind at lake Zurich? No way! Light, but continuous winds between 1 to 2 Beaufort, and sunshine accompanied the first sailing day. After the first 4 races, team Wyuna from Zug was in the lead! The second racing day took place under optimal conditions and a constant south wind with 2 to 3 Beaufort. The on-water umpire teams were always close to the boats, ensuring all the teams sailed fair. After 4 more dynamic races, team Giachen Duos fromEngadin and team GoSail were now head-to-head, with 18 points each. After winning the blu26 Cup Bayern, team GoSail was extremely keen to win the Swiss Championship!

The teams and blu26 friends met on Saturday, after the traditional “dock beer”, for a convivial sailing evening at the Zurich Yacht Club.

On Sunday morning, the wind was subdued. Ultimately remained the 8 decisive races of the previous days, and with the protagonists from the Engadin and Denmark, with 18 points each. However, the Danes couldn‘t be beaten! The number of races won by GoSail was weighted higher than the cancelation of the worst individual result by Giachen Duos. Team GoSail, with skipper Søren Laugesen, won the blu26 Swiss Championship, ahead of team Giachen Duos, with skipper Christa Kuster, in second, and team Wyuna, with skipper Michael Adamczyk, in third place.

The entire blu26 class would like to thank the Zurich Yacht Club for the generous hospitality, the organizing committee around Sascha Osterwalder, the jury around Samuel Ramp and Mathias Rebholz, as well as all the other helpers for their great and indispensable engagement.

This year's blu26 season has decidedly reshuffled the cards. Numerous crews have made remarkable progress, challenging the usually leading teams. While most of the boats are on their way to their winter storage, the next season is already eagerly awaited!