"Firm" for swimmers

Top conditions for the easy lake crossing!

The Lake Neusiedl Swimming Festival has already taken place against a very special backdrop.(Bild: Schwimmfestival)

3.1 kilometers across the lake, this year from Mörbisch to Illmitz - the swimming festival on Lake Neusiedl will once again attract many swimming enthusiasts on Saturday. Good conditions are forecast for the easy lake crossing.

"There is sure to be 30, 40 centimetres more water than in recent years," says organizer Andreas Sachs, who knows that the conditions are right and the forecast is also good. "Of course, this can change at short notice in the event of a thunderstorm the evening before." Then wind and short waves are the pitfalls on Lake Neusiedl, which around 70 starters will conquer. "There is an upwind after Corona. However, there won't be a double lake crossing this year." This is due to the low number of registrations. "Otherwise we would need a lot more support boats for safety."

Former star Christof Wandratsch has often taken part - this year he is skipping the event.(Bild: Schwimmfestival)

Popular event
Austria's oldest swimming event, the 33rd Seequerung, attracts many "repeat offenders". "The lake crossing is particularly popular in Hungary and Slovakia," explains Sachs, "as every year, the yacht clubs and the region's water rescue service ensure safe swimming conditions with their numerous helpers."