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After two rainy seasons held behind closed gates, the Balaton Regatta finally welcomed back its audience. Though strong winds occasionally challenged the 18 competing teams, the atmosphere was vibrant both on the water and at the Nereus Park Hotel beach. Hundreds of students and colleagues came together to cheer, play, and bring the lakeside to life.

Founded in 1999 by Professor Zoltán Gaál, the Regatta has become more than a sporting event—it’s a living piece of university history. A celebration of community and a reunion across generations, it continues to draw familiar faces to the shore and the boats.

As Rector Dr. János Abonyi noted in his opening remarks, the Regatta is a vital force of community spirit at the University of ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ. New student rector Zsófia András-Dóra echoed this sentiment, passionately cheering alongside her team, ³Õ·¡±·²Ô²â±ð²µ³úÅ‘.

This year’s competition included five races: seniors, alumni, open category, corporate teams, and the highlight—the Dr. Zoltán Gaál Memorial Race—where university faculties competed to honor the Regatta’s founder. Corporate teams like Balluff, Valeo, Continental, and CoreComm joined, with Algida’s Veszprém-based ice cream factory making its debut. Friendly competition and team spirit were in full swing.

When not watching the races on the big screen, spectators enjoyed lakeside games like foosball, giant Jenga, cornhole, flag football, subsoccer, and the University’s own board game. Participants collected stamps to trade for ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ-themed gifts. Music by DJ Andy Kraft and a concert by Dávid Roland kept the energy high, while hundreds of Magnum and Cornetto ice creams—generously provided by Algida—were served as dessert following a hearty goulash soup.

Laughter, cheering, sunshine, wind, long-lost friends, and new memories—another unforgettable year.

See you next year, same place, same spirit!

RESULTS

Race I – Seniors
1st: Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE)
2nd: University of ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ

Race II – Alumni
1st: University of ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ
2nd: MATE

Race III
Category 1 – Open
1st: Balatonföldvár Water Sports & Sailing Club (mixed team)
2nd: Veszprém University Sports Club
3rd: University of ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ Women’s Senior Team

Category 2 – Junior
1st: Balatonföldvár Water Sports & Sailing Club (junior team)

Category 3 – Student
1st: University of ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ

Race IV – Corporate Teams
1st: Continental
2nd: CoreComm
3rd: Balluff
4th: Algida – Magnum
5th: Valeo

Race V – Dr. Zoltán Gaál Memorial
1st: Faculty of Engineering
2nd: Faculty of Information Technology
3rd: Faculty of Business and Economics
4th: Faculty of Humanities

Congratulations to all athletes! Thank you to our amazing supporters and to the Institute of Physical Education and Sport and the Directorate of Communication for organizing the event.

Photos by Kornél Gáti, University of ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ