Hundreds of Millions Race on Lake Balaton at Full Moon 🌕

Every summer, a special excitement fills the air in the lakeside settlements of Lake Balaton when the participants of the Kékszalag set off around the lake on the Thursday closest to the July full moon. This tradition has defined the summer season on Lake Balaton for decades: the moonlight helps those sailors who do not reach the distance by sunset, while due to the capricious wind conditions many find themselves in a two-day, nerve-wracking adventure. The race is Europe’s oldest lake-circumnavigating regatta, yet most participants do not start for victory. The legendary Nemere II, for example, completed the course in 40 hours in 1953, while last year the Fifty-Fifty catamaran set a new record in just 4 hours and 24 minutes. The last boat, however, reached the finish after more than 29 hours – this huge difference shows that the Kékszalag is both a serious challenge for professional teams and an unforgettable experience for hobby sailors. The lakeside settlements, especially around Siófok, Balatonfüred and Keszthely, attract thousands of holidaymakers at this time. Locals proudly follow the race, many cheering from the shore or their own boats, while the tourism boom is felt in restaurants and marinas. Alongside the magic of the full moon, the Kékszalag year after year reinforces Lake Balaton’s reputation as a sailing paradise. ⛵🌕

Source: hvg.hu