From March 19 to 22, 2026, the fourth joint J/70 regatta training of the Styrian Sailing Association (STSV) with IN2THEBLUE took place in Punat on the island of Krk – with more participants than ever before, on J/70 and Dehler 38, and with 4 top coaches.
At a Glance
- Date: March 19 to 22, 2026
- Location: Marina Punat (Krk)
- Participants: Styrian Sailing Association (STSV), record participation
- Boats: J/70 and Dehler 38 on 2 dedicated training courses
- Coaches: Chris Kargl, Livia Naef, Niko Resch, and Martin Neidhardt
- Conditions: stable seabreeze with around 8 to 16 knots
What started a few years ago as a joint training format has now become a fixed point in the Styrian Sailing Association’s season preparation. 2026 saw a new record: More participants than ever before used the 4 days in Punat to intensively prepare for the upcoming regatta season. Training took place simultaneously on J/70 and Dehler 38, on 2 dedicated training courses and with a total of 4 top-class coaches.
Perfect Training Conditions in Punat
The weather also cooperated: sun, pleasant temperatures, and a stable seabreeze of around 8 to 16 knots every day ensured excellent training conditions.
Precisely these conditions are one of the reasons why Punat is particularly well suited for sailing and regatta training. With suitable weather, a stable thermal seabreeze develops during the day, allowing for long and structured training sessions. Added to this are the sheltered location of the bay and the diverse sailing opportunities around the island of Krk: short distances, plenty of time on the water, and a sailing area where a wide variety of training situations can be set up. For IN2THEBLUE, Punat has therefore been the ideal base for J/70 training, regatta training, and performance training in Croatia for years.
Thursday Practice Sailing, Friday to Sunday Regatta Training
Thursday was dedicated to practice sailing: The crews familiarized themselves with their boats, coordinated positions on board, and performed the first joint manoeuvres. From Friday to Sunday, intensive regatta training followed.
The common goal: to optimally prepare the Styrian regatta teams for the upcoming season. This was not just about speed. Boat handling, manoeuvres, starts, tactics, communication, and teamwork within the crew were also on the agenda.
Top Coaches as an Integral Part of Our Training
A key component of this training from the beginning has been the quality of coaching. Chris Kargl and Livia Naef have accompanied the J/70 training of the Styrian Sailing Association in Punat since the first sessions. This aligns with our aspiration: In our regatta and performance training, we consistently rely on experienced top coaches who themselves sail at a high level and pass on their knowledge directly and practically to the crews.
- Chris Kargl brings decades of experience from regatta and offshore sailing and combines it with extensive know-how in yacht technology and safety.
- Livia Naef comes from international regatta and competitive sports, was active in the Olympic 49erFX, among others, and is now closely involved with professional J/70 and regatta training.
Together, Chris and Livia worked with the J/70 crews on the details that make the difference on the regatta course: clean manoeuvres, starts, boat speed, tactics, and effective team processes. A good training area and good boats are the foundation – the crucial difference is made by the people who lead the training.
Two Training Courses: J/70 and Dehler 38
Due to the record number of participants, work was carried out simultaneously on 2 training courses in 2026. While the J/70 teams trained with Chris Kargl and Livia Naef, the crews of the Dehler 38 were on the second course.
IN2THEBLUE also relied on top-class coaching there: With Niko Resch, 4-time Olympic sailor, and Martin Neidhardt, professional sailor from the Stella Maris Sailing Team, the crews had 2 coaches with enormous experience from international regatta and professional sailing at their side. J/70 on one, Dehler 38 on the other course – each with its own exercises and focal points tailored to the boat class. This allowed for intensive work in small units, even with the largest number of participants to date.
Sunday: Time for the “STSV World Championship”
After several days of training, Sunday got serious – almost. To conclude, several training races were on the program, allowing the teams to implement what they had learned under regatta conditions. And, of course, the now legendary and, of course, extremely prestigious “STSV World Championship” could not be missed.
A total of 9 races were scored for the J/70s. In the end, REEF RAFF (SUI 5) won with 32 points, ahead of WINDROCKER (SUI 2) with 36 points and JET NAUTICS (SUI 1) with 43 points. The competitive ambition was there – but the fun was at least as important.
Why the J/70 is Perfect for Regatta Training
The J/70 is excellently suited for structured regatta training. As a one-design class, crews compete against each other on largely identical equipment. This quickly reveals where the actual differences arise: manoeuvres, boat speed, communication, tactics, and decisions on the regatta course. This is precisely why IN2THEBLUE specifically uses the J/70 fleet for regatta, team, and performance training in Punat.
This format is particularly interesting for sailing clubs and existing regatta crews: Several teams train under comparable conditions, repeat starts and manoeuvres, and immediately apply what they have learned in training races.
Regatta Training in Punat for Sailing Clubs and Teams
The fourth training with the Styrian Sailing Association shows what is possible with a well-organized multi-day training camp. IN2THEBLUE also offers J/70 and regatta training in Punat for other sailing clubs, regatta teams, and groups of ambitious sailors. The training is individually tailored to the performance level and goals of the group – from boat handling and manoeuvre training to starts, speed, and tactics, up to complete training regattas.
Especially before the start of a new season, a multi-day training camp offers a great advantage: The crew spends several intensive days together on the water, new procedures are immediately repeated, analyzed, and improved. At IN2THEBLUE, the same standard always applies: professional organization, suitable boats, an excellent sailing area, and coaches who know what they are talking about.
Continuing in 2027
That this concept works is shown not only by the record number of participants in 2026. The next round is already confirmed: For the 2027 season, the Styrian Sailing Association has again secured a spot for the next training in Punat. We look forward to the fifth edition.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where did the STSV Regatta Training 2026 take place?
The joint regatta training of the Styrian Sailing Association with IN2THEBLUE took place from March 19 to 22, 2026, in Marina Punat on the island of Krk in Croatia – for the fourth time.
Which boats were used for training?
Training took place simultaneously on J/70 and Dehler 38, on 2 dedicated training courses, each with its own coaches.
Who were the coaches?
The J/70 crews trained with Chris Kargl and Livia Naef, the Dehler 38 crews with 4-time Olympic sailor Niko Resch and Martin Neidhardt from the Stella Maris Sailing Team.
Can our sailing club also train in Punat?
Yes. IN2THEBLUE organizes J/70 regatta training and individual regatta camps in Punat for sailing clubs, regatta teams, and groups – from training a single crew to multi-day camps with several teams and professional coaches.
Do you want to train with your team in Punat?
Come to Punat with your club or crew and turn a few days of sailing into a real regatta training experience.
Your contact
If you have any questions about our offers, please get in touch with us! We prefer to assist you in person.
