German Open 2026 Meets Oktoberfest
28 September, 2026 - Lake Starnberg, Germany - Eight races were completed at the 2026 German Open and Oktoberfest Regatta, held on Lake Starnberg from September 19-20.
A strong fleet of Melges 24 sailors from southern Germany and Austria, including an Austrian-Italian team, gathered at Lake Starnberg for the regatta, hosted by the Bayerischer Yacht-Club.
With no wind on Saturday, racing had to be postponed. The breeze arrived on Sunday, allowing the race committee, led by Nils Sternbeck, to complete an impressive eight races, each lasting more than 30 minutes.
The regatta also featured plenty of Bavarian hospitality, with complimentary beer and a traditional Bavarian meal awaiting the sailors on Sunday evening. Although some crews found time to visit Munich’s Oktoberfest, everyone was back on the racecourse on time and ready to compete at full strength.
Benjamin Gleich and Anna Seidl’s team aboard GER 713, Gleich & Brother, produced a commanding performance to claim the 2026 German Open title. Benjamin Stillfried and Francesco Ivaldi finished second aboard ITA 840, Top Gun. Third place went to GER 766, Mojito, sailed by Florian, Christina and Julian Rixner, with Wolfgang Nießen as tactician.
Top 10 overall
- GER 713, Gleich & Brother, Benjamin Gleich / Anna Seidl, 10 points
- ITA 840, Top Gun, Benjamin Stillfried / Francesco Ivaldi, 16 points
- GER 766, Mojito, Florian, Christina and Julian Rixner / Wolfgang Nießen, 23 points
- GER 745, Jan Bücher / Paul Pierschel / Julius Riedmüller, 31 points
- AUT 716, Michael Schineis / Philipp Schineis / Simona Höllermann, 32 points
- GER 504, Sebastian Gastl / Julian Schwarting / Max Haist, 43 points
- GER 627, Felician Köstler / Adrian Köstler / Christian Mangold, 45 points
- AUT 607, Rene Noack / Anke Noack / Laura Noack, 50 points
- GER 653, Benjamin Off / Heiko Leubecher / Simon Scheidt, 50 points
- GER 652, Christoph Hartmann / Karla Hootz / Roland Wunderlich, 56 points
