Aalregatta Eckernförde

Sailing Event in the Shadow of Kiel Week

The Aalregatta is part of the so-called Welcome Races of Kiel Week, the world's largest sailing event. While the Olympic classes race off Kiel-Schilksee, the cruising sailors use the opening for a classic distance race: start in Kiel's inner fjord, course north-north-west, finish in Eckernförde harbour. With over 200 registered yachts, it is one of the largest fleet regattas in the western Baltic Sea region.

Destination Harbour Eckernförde

The town of Eckernförde is located about 30 kilometres north of Kiel in Eckernförde Bay, in the Rendsburg-Eckernförde district of the state of Schleswig-Holstein. The natural harbour is surrounded by a promenade and the old town with its thatched fishermen's houses — one of the most beautiful backdrops for a regatta finish line on the entire Baltic Sea coast. When the first yachts arrive on Saturday afternoon, thousands of onlookers line the harbour mole.

Harbour Festival and Festival Mile

Parallel to the regatta, a three-day Volksfest (popular festival) develops in the harbour: colourful stalls on the festival mile, fish rolls, live music on a small stage at the harbour head, children's carousel, boat tours. The highlight on Saturday evening is the award ceremony on the harbour stage, where the class winners receive their prizes. Admission to the festival mile is free.

Tracking and Spectator Value

Those who don't sail themselves can follow the yachts via AIS live tracking on the official Kiel Week website — a feature that the Kiel Yacht Club has expanded in recent years. The fastest yachts reach Eckernförde in under three hours; the main fleet arrives throughout the afternoon.

Embedded in Maritime Tradition

Eckernförde has lived from the sea for centuries — the town was a shipyard and fishing port; today, sailing, the naval garrison, and tourism shape the town's image. The Aalregatta combines these traditions with the sporting demands of an international sailing event.