The 53rd edition of the BCGE Tour du Léman à l’Aviron took place in ideal conditions until the early evening, when the Bise suddenly kicked in, causing chaos… Five competitors sailed the entire 160-kilometer course around Lake Geneva, a first since 2022.
Geneva, September 28, 2025 – The 53rd edition of the BCGE Tour du Léman à l’Aviron brought together fifteen teams, or 75 courageous rowers, this weekend from the Société Nautique de Genève. The race took place on the full course, along the Swiss coast on the outward journey and the French side of Lake Geneva on the return, over a distance of 160 kilometers. This was the first time since 2022 that the entire course could be sailed, weather conditions having led to shortenings in recent years.
The German crew “Die Gummibärenbande”, consisting of Christoph Philips, Emil Rauscher, Matthias Auer, Philip Kaltenborn and Tobias Gathmann, took victory after 12 hours, 15 minutes and 20 seconds of intense effort.
He beat his direct rival, the German mixed crew “Eine für alle und alle für eine!”, made up of Lucia Exner, Teresina Herb, Christian Maus, Markus Müller and Michael Ehrle by 8 minutes 18 seconds.
This leading duo was particularly remarkable, as it was made up of a mixed team and a novice team, i.e. rowers who had not yet taken part in more than three editions.
“We’re very happy with this win,” said Matthias Auer, now on his fourth consecutive victory. “We took the lead shortly after the start, at the level of Nyon, and then gave everything to create a comfortable lead. But we could see our direct rivals, who weren’t very far away and remained a threat. Then, at night, we couldn’t see anything and just rowed as best we could to keep the lead.”
Auer had raced – and won – previous editions with three team-mates who became his direct competitors this year, rowing in a mixed crew with two female rowers on board “Eine für alle und alle für eine!”. “It was my first time and I loved it,” said Teresina Herb. “It was very hard, but the scenery is splendid and it was an immense pleasure to race around the lake.”
The Sausende Seegurke crew came third overall, 22 minutes and 4 seconds behind the winner.
The dreaded Bise finally kicked in at around 8:00 pm, forcing the organizers to interrupt the race shortly after 9:00 pm, after a boat had filled with water and all the competitors still in the race were facing great difficulties. In the end, only five teams finished the race in Geneva.
“I must pay tribute to the enormous efforts made by the entire surveillance team,” said Stéphane Trachsler, President of the Organizing Committee. “We suddenly went from a trouble-free race to a crisis situation, with several boats in serious difficulty. Fortunately, all ended well, but some of the crews, as well as those in charge of safety, had a very bad time, and showed unfailing commitment. My warmest thanks go to the 100 or so volunteers who made this iconic event for our club such a success. A big well done also to all the rowers who took part in the race, and see you next year!”
This edition brought together a total of 15 crews representing eight nations: Turkey, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Malta, Austria, Northern and Southern Ireland. Four all-female teams were also entered, for a total of 24 women, including mixed crews.