The German Sailing Championships have commenced on Lake Baldeney in Essen, despite ongoing challenges with invasive aquatic plants. The event, running from September 2nd to 6th, showcases the resilience of the local sailing community in the face of environmental hurdles.
The German sailing championships kicked off on Tuesday, September 2nd, at 11 a.m. on Essen’s Baldeneysee. The competition, which will continue until Friday, September 6th, features 27 boats with over 50 sailors participating daily. The event focuses on the “Varianta” class, featuring 6.50-meter-long boats that can be operated by two people or used as family boats.
The ability to host the competition on Baldeneysee is not without its challenges. For months, the Ruhr Association has been battling the spread of the so-called water pest. The aquatic plant Elodea has been proliferating in Baldeneysee, making conditions increasingly difficult for water sports enthusiasts.
Special mowing boats have been employed to cut back the plants, likely including efforts just before the sailing championships. Despite these measures, significant amounts of the plant still remain in the Essen waters.
Volker Seitz from the Essen sports club ETUF expressed gratitude in an interview with WDR, stating, “We’re just glad we can sail at all.” He noted that over the summer, many water sports enthusiasts were unable to use their boats or got stuck in the plants.
Despite intermittent concerns, competitions have not had to be cancelled in the past. Both rowing and canoeing championships were held on Baldeneysee and, like the current sailing championships, were able to proceed without impairment.
For those interested in watching the spectacle on Baldeneysee in the coming days, the event is open to spectators daily from 11 a.m. Admission is free, and the championship is organized by the Essen Turn- und Fechtklub (Gymnastics and Fencing Club).
