eSailing: addictive digital sailing fun

Set sail from the comfort of your couch? With the eSailing online platform from Virtual Regatta, this is becoming the hottest trend. No boating or sailing licence is required and any weather will do. All you need is a PC, tablet or smartphone and you're ready to launch. How does the boat react in the wind, how do I set the sails and when do I tack? In the Sailing School of Virtual Regatta eSailing you learn everything the digital skipper needs. The reward: good start capital for a digital regatta boat.

eSailing offers the right race for everyone

Johannes Christophers, head of technology at the German Sailing Association, explains the fascination of eSailing: “Anyone can join in. eSailing is easy and intuitive. Many people who have been dreaming of sailing for a long time can now try it out virtually and enjoy immediate success.” Sofa sailors can choose from a wide variety of inshore and offshore regattas. For inshore races there is a range of courses and individually designable boats. Each race lasts only a few minutes and is action-packed and entertaining. Offshore races also simulate such real ocean races as the Route du Rhum or the Vendée Globe. “The most exciting thing is that you can compete directly with internationally renowned professionals and even compete against Boris Herrmann”, says Johannes Christophers. This virtual sport is finding more and more enthusiasts, partly due to the external circumstances of the past few months. The restrictions caused by the pandemic have induced many sailors to look for alternatives. Over one million digital sailors followed the regatta this year. The real sailors are digitally integrated into the game, but the eSailors have one small advantage: “The real conditions of the professionals are transferred into the game, but of course you never need repairs and don’t have to battle fatigue. If you invest enough time, you can become adept at sailing the boat.”

(c) Marina Garcia/Sailing Energy / Hempel Sailing World Championships, Aarhus 2018

Pure Entertainment: eSailing Championships

The DSV (German Sailing Federation) is organising the third German eSailing National Championships at the beginning of March. “This is really good entertainment, for the competitors and spectators alike,” says Johannes Christophers. “The complete series will be turned into a live final. Everything is commented online and can be followed live.”
Last year, there was already an eSailing format for the German Sailing League and since February 2021 the 3rd World Championship in eSailing has been underway. In March the eSailing Champions League kicks off.
The virtual regattas are available for PC and all smartphones or tablets. Participation is free, but in-app purchases for various extras are possible.