Turquoise-blue water, thermal winds at their finest and a community like no other – the “Ums Walchenfass” regatta 2026 was once again an absolute highlight in the TOPCAT regatta calendar.

On the last weekend of June, the TOPCAT family met at Lake Walchensee, as is tradition. The grounds of the Segelfreunde Walchensee were already filling up on Thursday evening. The first boats were rigged, sails bent on, and the anticipation of a weekend with perfect conditions was palpable everywhere. Many crews already used the Friday for a training run before the evening wound down comfortably at a shared barbecue.

With 22 TOPCATs at the start – actually it was even 23, but more on that later in the year 😉 – and scoring in all classes, everything was set for a great regatta weekend.

This time I was only a spectator…

For me personally, however, this regatta was something quite special. Due to injury, I had to leave my beloved K3X on land. Instead of being out on the water myself, I wanted to experience the regatta from a completely different perspective.

With binoculars, a regatta watch, plenty of water and a few snacks, I set off for my observation point behind the bird island. I stood knee-deep in the water while the entire TOPCAT fleet rushed past me just a few metres away. It was fascinating.

Lake Walchensee shows why it is unique

The Saturday began quite typically for Lake Walchensee. The boats moved out onto the lake at little more than walking pace. But then the well-known wind line from Urfeld appeared – and within a few minutes Lake Walchensee showed its very best side.

With temperatures of over 30 °C, a water temperature of more than 20 °C and a constant thermal breeze, the scene was one you don’t experience here every year, even here.

Our race officer Ulli decided to make the most of the good conditions and to run five of the six scheduled races already on Saturday, as thunderstorms were forecast for Sunday.

After around five and a half hours, the sailors returned to the harbour exhausted but with broad grins. That’s exactly what a successful day of sailing looks like.

Community is lived with the TOPCAT Family

At least as important as the races, however, is the togetherness at Lake Walchensee.

In the evening the club organised a shared meal, with cold drinks, plenty of conversation and no end of stories about good starts, exciting duels and small mishaps on the water. Anyone who wanted to jumped into the lake once more to cool off, while others let the day wind down at the legendary cake counter.

What particularly pleased me this year was the strong participation of our youth. By using the neighbouring youth house, additional overnight accommodation could be created – ideal conditions for the next generation of our class. The campers, too, were excellently accommodated at the nearby motorhome site. Thanks to the support of the municipality, the large car park was once again available, so that with almost 50 boats on the grounds everything worked out splendidly.

It is precisely these conditions that turn a regatta into a true community experience.

Sunday too delivered spectacular sailing once again

The forecast thunderstorms made for considerably stronger conditions on Sunday. The thermal wind picked up substantially once more and brought up to six Beaufort to the lake in places.

Nevertheless, the final race could be run safely. Incidentally, most of the capsizes did not happen during the race, but only on the way back into the harbour – typical Walchensee.

The winners of the weekend

TOPCAT K1

🥇 Sebastian Pfohl & Robin Pfohl
🥈 Ben Vilsmeier & Annika Kühl
🥉 Christoph Schiegg & Susi Wallner

TOPCAT K2

🥇 Tobias Glasl & Veronika Kell
🥈 Sven Kühl & his girlfriend
🥉 Christian Stolz

TOPCAT K3

🥇 Christian Agthe
🥈 Piotr Liszek
🥉 Wilfried Jodorf

Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who placed!

Why you have to experience this regatta

What impressed me most again this weekend was not just the perfect conditions or the exciting races.

It was the TOPCAT community.

Here everyone helps everyone. With rigging, launching, trimming or after a capsize – whether beginner, youngster or long-time regatta sailor. You are taken in immediately and feel welcome from the very first moment.

That is exactly what makes our class.

So if you have never been to the “Ums Walchenfass” regatta at Lake Walchensee, then you should definitely make up for it. Hardly any other sailing area in Germany offers such a combination of turquoise-blue water, reliable thermal winds of four to five wind forces, an impressive mountain backdrop and such a warm community.

For me, despite my injury, it was a weekend that left me wanting more.

And I am already looking forward to sitting on my K3X again myself next year.

Your Paul
… soon back on the water. ⛵