36th Open Saxony Championships and 19th Saxony Masters Championships in Finswimming 2026

The Saxony State Diving Sports Association (Landestauchsportverband Sachsen e.V.) has announced its 36th Open Saxony Championships and 19th Masters Championships in Finswimming, scheduled for February 1, 2026, at the University of Leipzig’s Water Sports Center.

Venue and Facilities

The competition will take place at a premier aquatic facility located at Mainzer Straße 4 in Leipzig. The venue features a 50-meter by 21-meter pool with eight lanes, equipped with wave-breaking swimming lane lines and a consistent depth of 2.00 meters. With a comfortable water temperature of 27°C, athletes will compete using the SWISS Timing Quantum Aquatics electronic timing system, ensuring precise results.

Event Schedule

The championship day begins with entry at 8:45 AM, followed by a warm-up period from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. Team leader meetings start at 9:10 AM, with referee briefings at 9:40 AM. The official opening ceremony takes place at 10:10 AM, with competition commencing at 10:20 AM.

Comprehensive Competition Program

The event features 25 competitions across multiple disciplines:

• Apnea swimming (AP) at 50m
• Bifins (BF) at 50m, 100m, and 200m distances
• Surface swimming (ST) at 100m and 200m
• Finswimming (FS) ranging from 50m to 800m
• Relay events including 4x100m surface bifins (mixed), and 4x100m finswimming (separate male and female)

A notable feature is Competition 14 and 15, where Masters category participants can choose between swimming 400m FS or 400m BF, with separate scoring for each discipline.

Age Categories and Competitions

The championships accommodate a wide range of competitors through distinct age classifications:

Regular Championships:

• Class A: Born 2008 and older
• Class B: Born 2009/2010
• Class C: Born 2011/2012
• Class D: Born 2013/2014
• Class E: Born 2015/2016
• Class F: Born 2017 and younger

Masters Championships:

• AK I: Born 1987-1996
• AK II: Born 1977-1986
• AK III: Born 1967-1976
• AK IV: Born 1957-1966
• AK V: Born 1947-1956
• AK VI: Born 1946 and older

Eligibility Requirements

Participants must be members of clubs with valid starting rights for VDST (German Underwater Sports Federation) finswimming competitions. International athletes from clubs registered with CMAS (World Underwater Federation) are also welcome to compete.

A critical requirement is that medical examinations confirming fitness to compete must not be older than one year on competition day. Athletes without valid medical certification will not be permitted to participate under any circumstances.

Technical Requirements and Equipment

All diving equipment (DTG) used in the facility must have successfully passed technical inspection by an accredited body within the past two years. Unlike some competitions, the organizers will provide filling services for diving equipment during the event.

Technical controls will be conducted at the pre-start area, where athletes must present with all equipment they intend to use. Violations result in disqualification from the respective competition.

Judging Structure

Clubs must provide referees based on their number of starts: one referee for up to 20 starts, and two referees for more than 20 starts. Clubs with only one participant are exempt from this requirement. A €50 penalty applies for failure to provide required officials. International clubs are exempt from providing referees.

Scoring and Awards

The competition features dual scoring systems:

For Saxon Athletes:

• Compete in both open rankings and Saxony-specific championships
• Top three finishers receive medals and certificates
• Places 4-6 receive certificates

For Non-Saxon Athletes:

• Compete only in open rankings
• Top six places receive certificates

Relay scoring for Masters categories is determined by the combined ages of all team members, with the reference date being January 1, 2026.

Registration and Fees

Registration closes on January 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM. The deadline for cost-free withdrawals is January 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM; after this time, full entry fees apply.

Entry fees are:

• Individual starts: €7.00
• Relay starts: €9.00

Payment must be transferred to the association’s account by January 29, 2026. Athletes unable to provide proof of payment at registration must pay cash immediately plus a €25.00 administrative fee.

Registration is conducted electronically through a Lenex file or online portal available at www.egd-tb.de.

Important Notes

Athletes must declare at registration whether they are competing in the age group or Masters category, and this choice applies to all their individual and relay entries with no option to switch categories.

The event operates under a “one-start rule” for the entire competition, and all participants must acknowledge and accept the anti-doping regulations of VDST and NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency).

Awards Ceremonies

Multiple award ceremonies are scheduled throughout the day during designated breaks, typically lasting 15-20 minutes. However, if time constraints arise, these ceremonies may be shortened or eliminated to maintain the competition schedule.

This championship represents a major event in German finswimming, bringing together competitors from across age groups and skill levels for a day of high-level aquatic competition in one of Germany’s finest swimming facilities.

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