In the traditional Blue Ribbon Regatta, boats sail the entire length of
Lake Balaton. Rooted in tradition this 200-kilometre race is the longest round-the-lake competition in Europe; it is organised annually in the middle of July.
The Blue Ribbon Regatta has been held on Lake Balaton since 1934. Before World War II it was held every even-numbered year and always took a different route. Today's route, Balatonfüred-Balatonkenese-Siófok-Keszthely-Balatonfüred, was first sailed by participants in 1940; it is about 200 kilometres long. The race was re-established in 1947 and since then this competition for trophy awarded to the fastest boat was held every odd-numbered year. Since 2001 it is organised every year.