Kieler Woche: Kiel wants a lot: Mammoth programme on the fjord

From Olympic stars to recreational sailors, from fast small dinghies to historic yachts and big boats, from speed challenges to the Para World Sailing Championship and the Bundesliga to the Aalregatta: the programme for the 123rd Kiel Week is more packed than ever before. "Kiel Week is packed with many highlights," says Dirk Ramhorst. The Head of Organisation for Kiel Week explained: "On the one hand, we want to give ambitious sailors from the region the opportunity to take part in Kiel Week with the Eel Regatta. On the other hand, we also want to help the World Para Sailing Association to promote sailing as a Paralympic sport again with the Para World Sailing Championships during Kiel Week. With our concentrated sailing programme, we thus represent the entire diversity of sailing." The organisers are expecting around 4000 athletes from 60 countries in 50 disciplines.

"The sailing start of Kiel Week is traditionally marked by the Welcome Race in the Kiel Inner Fjord. On the opening Saturday of the North German Wonnewoche under sail from 17 to 25 June, the first group of ORC-measured yachts will sail across the starting line in front of the Kieler Yacht-Club. The ORC racers will be followed by the cruisers. The Aal Regatta, which has once again found its way into Kiel Week, is a fun race under sail." Other highlights include the cutter regattas on the first weekend and the windjammer regatta at the end on the inner fjord.

For the first time, the Kiel Olympic Centre in Kiel-Schilksee will also be hosting the Bundesliga as part of Kiel Week. The Kiel regatta in the battle for the German club championship will be held at the start of Kiel Week from Saturday to Monday. At the same time, the international classes will open Kiel Week from 17 to 20 June, before the Olympic classes get into the action from 21 to 25 June and the participants in the Para World Sailing Championship (PWSC) compete for world championship medals. One of the stars in Kiel is Kiel Week fan Robert Scheidt. The 44-year-old two-time Olympic champion and five-time Olympic medallist from Brazil wants to give it another go in the 49er after historic successes in the Laser and Star boat.