Hungary adjusts Kékszalag sailing race route as Lake Balaton reaches record low level

Lake Balaton’s water level has fallen to an average of 66 cm, dropping about one centimetre each day, and forecasts predict it could dip to 55 cm by the July 30 Kékszalag sailing race. The decline, driven by a dry, low‑rainfall period, has already resulted in a loss of roughly six million cubic metres of water.

To keep the race safe, the Hungarian Sailing Federation has moved the Keszthely buoy 1.6 km east, shortening the 150‑km course by 3.2 km. The change ensures that even deeper‑draft boats can compete and that at least 90 % of the fleet can start, despite the shallow conditions in the Keszthely Bay where depths could fall to 190–210 cm.