Kieler Woche: "Back to basics": Kieler Woche wants to celebrate pure sailing sport

Without a big funfair, parties or stalls: Kiel Week is to be true to its roots in 2020. "This year it's 'back to basics' and 'sailing plus X'," says Kiel's Lord Mayor Ulf Kämpfer, explaining the concept, which has been scaled back in times of coronavirus and is intended to save the 126th Kiel Week from cancellation. From 5 to 13 September, the world's largest regatta week will focus solely on sailing. The traditional large shore-based programme has to be cancelled for safety reasons. There cannot and will not be any event areas or large stages.

The organisers had already announced the postponement at an early stage in March. The organisers want to wait and see whether minimal cultural offerings or smaller events will be possible as part of Kiel Week in just under five months' time. For the time being, they are planning on pure sailing sport.

Kämpfer says: "The coronavirus pandemic will keep us all busy for many months to come. We are convinced that it will unfortunately not be possible to celebrate with many people at the beginning of September." However, there are currently no plans to cancel Kiel Week. Kämpfer says: "We want to put sailing - and thus the historic foundation of Kiel Week - centre stage as a signal. And we want to see what else we can offer the people of Kiel."

Sporting organisation manager Dirk Ramhorst said: "We will give an appropriate number of sailors the opportunity to sail the Kieler Woche to the usual extent. It goes without saying that the regulations and measures for handling and hygiene will be observed. The regattas cannot be organised one-to-one as they were in June. Flexibility and new ideas are now required." The number of entries could be restricted for particularly popular classes. The organisers are also in talks with several class associations about possibly making up for national or international championships that were previously cancelled during Kiel Week. One thing is certain: the event site at the Kiel-Schilksee Olympic Centre will not be geared towards visitors this year - if Kiel Week can take place in September as planned - but solely towards sailing.