Blue ribbon - The defending champion is expecting an even more exciting competition than last year

András Holczhauser, secretary general of the Hungarian Sailing Association, said at the press conference on Thursday that the Blue Ribbon Festival actually starts with the White Ribbon on July 9. The next day, the Blue Ribbon competition for youth sailors is organized, which is also connected to a family day with the participation of previous winners.

"Our undisclosed goal with all this is to bring the Blue Ribbon and its accompanying events closer to young people and families. We are also preparing a surprise, we want to make the fastest catamarans tangible to the general public after the finish on the Tagore Promenade," said the general secretary. He added that this year the Audi Speed Challenge will also be held on the second day of the Blue Ribbon for the fastest boats.

György Zolnai, CEO of Raiffeisen Bank Zrt., emphasized that they have been supporting the Blue Ribbon for five years, which can be called the celebration of Lake Balaton. He emphasized that a sponsorship works well if there is an identity of value between the two parties, in this case tradition, innovation and digitalization.

Simon Attila, CEO of Herendi Porcelánmanufaktúra Zrt., announced that the company has renewed the Blue Ribbon main prize. The trophy, which can be divided into two parts, is dominated by the color blue, with 24 carat matte gold. The award shows the silhouette of a sailing ship, below which ripples the water of Lake Balaton, which turns into a ribbon, thus referring to the name of the competition.

Zsolt Kalocsai, the manager of the winning RSM team in 2020 and 2021, said that an even more exciting competition than last year is expected this year. Last year, the RSM catamaran managed by Róbert Vándor was just two minutes ahead of the record-setting Fifty-Fifty with 7 hours and 13 minutes.

First announced in 1934, the Blue Ribbon is Europe's largest lake racing competition. Last year, 556 boats entered to complete the approximately 150 kilometer distance as the crow flies on the Balatonfüred-Balatonkenese-Siófok-Tihany-Keszthely-Balatonfüred line.

(Source: Source: sportrajongo.hu, mti/Photo: pixabay)