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    Sailing - from Austria to the “Ocean Race”

    Two brothers discovered their love for sailing on the lakes of Austria, where a big dream was born: To participate in the "Ocean Race", the most challenging sailing regatta in the world!

    Brothers Konstantin (24) and Oliver (21) Kobale discovered their love for the sailing sport in Austria. Being a land-locked country, Austria does not have a direct connection to the sea, but it offers 62 alternatives: That is the number of “big” lakes 50 acres in size or larger.

    Konstantin got into sailing at the very young age of 9. His brother Oliver, who is three years younger, started just a year later. On the waters of Austria’s lakes a dream was born – to participate in the “Ocean Race” one day.

    We got into boat racing right away. Sailing from lake to lake every weekend, including Lake Wolfgang.

    People by the water - sail Lake Wolfgang / Wolfgangsee
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    Oliver Kobale
    • Ocean Race

      The Ocean Race is a sailing regatta that has taken place every four years since 1973, and every three years since 2006. It starts in Europe in autum, goes through the Atlantic, circles Africa at the Cap of Good Hope, continues through the Indian Ocean across the South Pacific, around Cape Horn to South and North America, and back to Europe. It is considered one of the toughest challenges for sailors. Depending on the number and choice of legs and stage destinations, the race covers 45,000- 72,000 kilometres (27,961 – 44,738 miles). 

      Learn more
    • In 2023, the regatta will be run in two boat classes. In the IMOCA class, five teams started in Alicante in January 2023, with planned stops in Cape Verde, Cape Town, Itajai, Newport, Aarhus and The Hague before finishing in Genoa. In total, they will sail 60,000 kilometres (37,282 miles). In the class, a shorter race has been set up, the so-called VO65 Sprint Cup, with six teams participating. It consists of three offshore races together with the IMOCAs (Alicante - Cape Verde, Aarhus - The Hague, The Hague - Genoa), as well as four in-port races.

      Learn more

    Team Austrian Ocean Racing

    Konstantin and Oli are taking part in the VO65 Sprint Cup with their team "Austrian Ocean Racing" powered by Team Genova. The international team has 16 members, with Austria leading in numbers (six members are from Austria, four from the Netherlands, two from Italy, two from Great Britain, one from Canada,), and is led by a Dutch skipper. It is the first time in the history of the regatta that an Austrian team is competing.

    The self-proclaimed "New Kids on the Block" hope to establish themselves among the "Ocean Race" sailors by participating in the VO65 Sprint Cup with their sailing yacht "Sisi".

    Life as a sailor takes place on many waters. The brothers are abroad a lot, travel from one regatta to the next, from one sailing trip to the next. Sailing is an action sport, the adrenaline level is always high, the weather can change in minutes. In the high waves with the spray in your face and the wind in your sails, it's easy to lose track of time, just trying to stay in control and brave the weather and the elements.

    Coming home after an adventure

    Konstantin and Oliver enjoy being at home in Austria, always bringing back new perspectives from their travels. They like to relax on a hike in the green nature, away from the hustle and bustle. Coming home is something very special for Konstantin and Oli. On the Alpine lakes where they grew up and discovered their love for sailing, they find their way back to some peace and quiet.

    Because I travel so much, I can maybe appreciate Austria even more than someone who never leaves it. In any case, I'm very, very happy when I’m home. And it’s always good to be home.

    People by the water - sail Lake Wolfgang / Wolfgangsee
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    Oliver Kobale

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