Alpe Adria Sailing Week 2026: Record year in Punat – anniversary edition follows in 2027

The Alpe Adria Sailing Week (AASW) 2026 in Punat was the biggest edition yet of the Yacht Club Austria’s long-standing regatta week: 42 yachts, packed pontoons, fully booked one-design classes and five races. The 20th anniversary edition follows in 2027 – and the one-design classes are already fully booked.

From 16 to 42 yachts

When IN2THEBLUE joined the organisation of Alpe Adria Sailing Week, only 16 boats were still taking part. Together with Daniel Kirchmeier and the Yacht Club Austria, the event was re-launched.

A key step was moving it to the centre of Punat. Thanks to our long-standing local contacts, we created a location where crews, yachts and the social side come together in one place. In 2026, 42 yachts were on the start line – a new participation record. Sailing magazine Ocean7 also covered the AASW’s development in depth.

But the number alone isn’t what matters. AASW is about what happens between races: crews meet on the pontoon, eat and celebrate together, and get to know new sailors. The motto “Sailing among friends” sums up what the regatta week is all about today.

Five races for beginners and experienced crews

On the water, AASW 2026 offered an exceptional range:

• Austria Cup – First 35 one-design class
• Carinthian Racing Cup – Dehler 38 SQ
• Alpe Adria Racing Cup – First 36
• Alpe Adria Cup – open class
• Carinthian Cruising Trophy – cruising class

This brings ambitious regatta crews together with cruising sailors and those getting their first taste of racing. That first step is a key part of IN2THEBLUE Racing: in our regatta training, you work with experienced regatta skippers on boat speed, manoeuvres, start tactics and crew coordination.

Female Sailing and the next generation

In 2026, we were especially pleased to see the progress in women’s and youth sailing. Thanks to the YCA’s Female Sailing focus and IN2THEBLUE’s women’s training programme, additional women’s teams took part. Sanni Beucke joined for the first time as an Olympian.

One very special crew showed that regatta sailing isn’t about age: five children aged eight to eleven sailed onto the podium under the leadership of pro skipper Kletzi Bayer. That mix is exactly what AASW is about – experienced racers, cruising sailors, women’s crews, youth and first-time racers.

More than a regatta

We don’t want an event where crews split up after the finish line. All boats berth together, you talk through the race, and you sit together again in the evening. That’s why the regatta tent, catering, live music, prize-givings and evening programme are just as much a part of AASW as the start line, marks and finish.

2027: The 20th Alpe Adria Sailing Week

After the record year comes the anniversary: the 20th Alpe Adria Sailing Week will take place in Punat from May 23 to 27, 2027 (boat handover on May 22). For the anniversary edition, a First 44 one-design class is planned for the first time. Participation will be deliberately limited to a maximum of 45 crews to preserve the quality and atmosphere.

Interest is huge: the one-design classes for 2027 were reserved in no time, and there’s a waiting list for anyone else interested. You’ll find all details and registration on the Alpe Adria Sailing Week page.

Get into regatta sailing with IN2THEBLUE

If you don’t just want to watch at AASW, you can prepare with IN2THEBLUE: from skipper training and harbour manoeuvre training to advanced courses and racing and regatta training. Our base at Marina Punat is ideal for this – training and the regatta take place where a big part of our sailing community feels at home.

Your contact

If you have any questions about our offers, please get in touch with us! We prefer to assist you in person.

Max Miller

Regatta & Events
+43 676 6615073
max@in2theblue.com