Dear readers,

A lot has happened in the last few days: A single-handed sailor was killed far away from Cape Horn and New Zealand during the Golden Globe Race rescued from distress at sea, at the Arkea Ultim Challenge some of the best sailors in the world hid on their giant foiling tris a solid Bay of Biscay storm in the shelter of the Azores, and there was good news about some storm surge-damaged harbours on the western Baltic Sea coastwhich will be able to accept boats again on 1 May. Hip, hip, hooray!

Then another piece of news caused a furore, which I also followed with great enthusiasm: Kiel becomes the starting port of the Ocean Race Europewhich will kick off for the second time on 10 August 2025 and attract a whole fleet of Imocas to the Race Village in the fjord. Ocean sailing and experiencing the elite of our sport up close - a dream come true!

For me, the "Sailing City" of Kiel is the most beautiful city in Germany for good reason. This has nothing to do with its architecture, but with its proximity to the Baltic Sea, the superior sailing infrastructure and the variety of beautiful beaches that can be found in the immediate vicinity of the Schleswig-Holstein state capital. Here I was able to study shipbuilding, sail 470s and Sprinta Sport on regatta courses, get to know countless kitesurfing spots and, in 2002, be present at one of the most impressive events in German sailing history: the arrival and victory of the "Illbruck" in the Volvo Ocean Race. The on Youtube available NDR report on this extraordinary sailing spectacle I still enjoy watching it and it gives me goose bumps.

The fact that Kiel still masters this kind of magic was demonstrated last year at the Fly-by of the Ocean Race fleet once again. On board a small motor yacht and this time with two of my children in tow, we accompanied the spectacle from the Kiel lighthouse to the inner fjord - the weather, Imocas, hundreds of support boats and a packed quay line with Ocean Race fans from all over Germany played along perfectly and gave us goosebumps. There it was again, the German passion for ocean sailing that had been forgotten for decades. It is thanks to Boris Herrmann and his team Malizia in particular that the fringe sport of sailing is back in people's hearts and on the news. The 42-year-old from Hamburg, who will be competing in his second solo circumnavigation of the Vendée Globe from 10 November, said of the Kiel coup in the Ocean Race Europe: "For me as a German sailor and for us as Team Malizia with strong German roots, this is of course a jackpot."

The co-owner and organiser of the Ocean Race Richard Brisius enthused as he announced the good news: "Kiel has twice hosted Olympic sailing regattas and has become world-famous as the venue for Europe's largest sailing event, Kieler Woche. The start of the Ocean Race Europe in Kiel is an opportunity to demonstrate the power of sport."

An active regatta and event area spanning several weeks is planned for the opening Ocean Race summer summit in Kiel, which will extend between Reventlouwiese and Blücherbrücke. The "little sister of the Ocean Race" will be sailed exclusively on Imocas, as will the upcoming 2027 round-the-world race. This means that the much-criticised two-tier society of the previous edition has been abolished.

• Ocean Race Europe: Kiel will be the starting port - Boris Herrmann: "The jackpot for us!"

And for all Ocean Race and Malizia fans, it's time to book hotels early, prepare the boat for the accompanying trip on 10 August and count on wind and good weather. Anyone hoping to meet Boris Herrmann can already look forward to it: "The Ocean Race Europe start will offer the public a great opportunity to meet our team, see the boat and get to know our educational programme in 2025," revealed the exceptional athlete, who will be awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in Hamburg on 14 March.

In addition to the starting port, only one other of the seven ports has been finalised: Genoa. However, it is not yet known whether the Italian Mediterranean metropolis will be the final destination or just a stopover. What is clear is that the course will include the Baltic and North Sea, the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean over a regatta duration of around six weeks. The final route of the compact summer race is scheduled to be announced this spring.

Another offshore sailing highlight is not too far away with the Ocean Race start in January 2027. It remains to be seen whether another German harbour will be recommended for a fly-by or even a stopover. The chances are at least not bad, because if Kiel proved one thing in 2002 and 2023, it's this: the "Sailing City" can organise a sailing party on the fjord!

Martin Hager,

Editor-in-Chief YACHT

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