Let the Games Begin! RS Games 2026 at Travemünder Woche Day 1
by RS Sailing 19 Jul 05:53 PDT
16-26 July 2026
10 days. 915 RS sailors. 30 nations. One massive event.
Set against the backdrop of Travemünder Woche, one of Northern Europe's largest sailing festivals, the RS Games 2026 has officially begun. With world-class racing, live music, vibrant shoreside entertainment and RS socials almost every evening, this is the biggest celebration of RS Classes and the inspiring sailors who sail them.
For the first time in its history, the RS Games is taking place outside the UK, with Germany playing host to sailors from around the world.
"We couldn't be more excited to be here," said RS Sailing's Head of Commercial Michiel Geerling, speaking at the Official Opening Ceremony on Day 0 (17 July), where teams from the RS Tera World Championship and the RS Venture Connect, RS500, RS700 and RS800 European Championships were officially welcomed.
"If you see a boat with an RS logo on it anywhere in the world, you know you're among friends."
With RS sailors filling the town, beaches and dinghy parks throughout Travemünde, and the incredible atmosphere of the wider festival all around, there's a friendly face around every corner. The RS Sailing community is truly global with, competitors at the RS Games representing Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Grenada, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Slovakia, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and the United States of America.
On Day 1 (18 July), the racing began.
A fleet of 131 RS Teras and 48 RS500s launched from Priwall Beach for their opening races, while 12 RS700s and 17 RS800s headed out from Tornadowiese. The RS Venture Connect fleet waited ashore as race officials monitored the strengthening breeze.
Conditions quickly built from around 13 knots to gusts of 25 knots, with steep, challenging waves creating a demanding first day on the water. Capsizes, equipment breakages and plenty of determined recoveries and hard-earned smiles made for an action-packed start to the regatta, rewarding resilience as much as speed.
While the RS500, RS700, RS800 and RS Tera fleets completed racing, the Race Committee ultimately made the call of AP over A for the RS Venture Connect fleet, postponing racing for the day. Rather than dwell on the conditions, competitors embraced everything happening ashore, enjoying the atmosphere of the Travemünder Woche festival and the chance to connect with fellow sailors from across the globe.
With the competition now under way, the week is only just getting started. You can find the full results so far on Manage to Sail, daily videos of all the action on RS Sailing's Youtube, Facebook and Instagram channels, and official RS Games photos on Digital Sailing.
"RS socials, VIP evenings aboard the iconic Passat, our 'Win A RS Zest' competition (enter here), and two big RS Games parties are still to come," says Michiel. "The racing will create champions, but it's the friendships, shared experiences and the incredible sense of community that make the RS Games so special. We're looking forward to celebrating with sailors from every corner of the world over the coming week."
The stage is set for 8 more days of racing, friendships and unforgettable memories. Let the Games begin.
RS Sailing would like to thank it's sponsors of the RS Games: Kingfisher Yacht Ropes, HYDE SAILS, Seldén Mast, Ziegelmayer Sailing, RS Sailing Store, Labello, Nivea Sun and official clothing partner Marinepool.