Torqeedo, the global leader in electric mobility on the water, has been actively committed to promoting gender equality in sailing since the first “Helga Cup” event. As a sponsor of the world's largest women's regatta, the "Helga Cup," a project of the German "Inclusion in Sailing e.V.," Torqeedo once again makes a strong statement this year. From June 6th to 9th, 2024, the "Helga Cup" will be held for the seventh time on Hamburg's Alster Lake. Under the motto thinkHelga, the event aims to increase the visibility of female sailors and inspire women who have not sailed before to take up the sport.
The number of women taking part in international sailing races has increased in recent years. The number of female sailors in the Ocean Race 2022-23, the longest sailing race around the world, rose from 21% (2017-18) to 28% (2022-23). Organizers of well-known regattas such as the Vendeé Globe and America's Cup are also enjoying more and more women taking part than in previous years. This positive development represents a further step forward for gender equality in sailing. Events such as the Helga Cup are still essential to further support women in sailing and drive the topic forward. At the Helga Cup, around 300 female sailors will race for 10-12 minutes on state-of-the-art 7-meter regatta boats and together send out a signal for inclusive sailing and women in sailing.
Helga Cup boosts diversity and sustainability in sailing
"In our company, it is extremely important to us that all employees, regardless of gender, religion, or sexuality, work hand-in-hand on land as well as on the water. We want to continue to encourage this through the sport of sailing in the future. In addition to the big regatta, the Helga Cup offers an extensive program around the Alster under the motto #thinkHelga. This will be followed throughout the year by activities that pick up on the spirit of the event but go far beyond the event in June. We think this is great and are proud to support this fantastic event and the association behind it as a sponsor," says Fabian Bez, CEO of Torqeedo.
“The Helga Cup is also taking another important step in the decarbonization of sailing competitions. The vessels used on the Alster by the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein are powered by quiet electric motors to ensure an environmentally friendly and innovative sailing experience. We wish the participating teams not only a lot of success but also - and this is particularly important to us - a lot of fun," concludes Fabian Bez, CEO of Torqeedo.
The "Helga Cup" was initiated in 2018 by Sven Jürgensen, Norddeutscher Regatta Verein and the first “Helga Cup” team. The women-only regatta also sets new standards of sustainability and provides emissions-free electric regatta boats for the races to make sailing truly accessible to everyone. The "Helga Cup" is taking place for the seventh time this year and is one of the top ten events in the city of Hamburg.