Since the foundation of the Friends of Classic Yachts Wilfried Horns from Kiel has coordinated the content-related work of the association of the German classics scene in the role of spokesperson. Since the end of last year, the lion's share of his previous role has been taken over by a four-person team, which was elected as his successor (see below).
Jan Lohrengel, who is responsible for the general part of the tasks, takes a positive view of the first few months in office. The most important task of making the classics more visible again after the corona break has been fulfilled to his complete satisfaction. "All the events so far have gone fantastically well," says Lohrengel. The number of participants has exceeded expectations, and the registration figures for the largest classic regatta, the German Classics in Laboe from 18 to 21 August are outstanding.
Co-operation within the speaker team also works smoothly. "The four of us have to coordinate closely, and life experience tells you that this can be difficult," says Lohrengel. "This shows one of the strengths of the FKY, namely that it's always about the task, not about the person or the office."
In the middle of the season, his thoughts are already turning to the winter meeting in February. After two years, it is finally due to take place again in Präsenz.
In the current issue of YACHT classic, issue 2/2022, Jan Lohrengel spoke about the change of spokesperson at the Freundeskreis Klassische Yachten shortly after taking office:
YACHT classic: In addition to the traditional association board, your association also recognises the role of spokesperson, which you will share between the four of you in future. What exactly is your new role?
Jan Lohrengel:We are, if you like, representatives. Contact persons for members, event teams and interested third parties. We are not management positions. We are part of the grassroots and promote and channel ideas from the members so that it doesn't just remain "could" and "should".
Does this make the Circle of Friends different from a traditional association?
Yes, as far as the organisation is concerned, we are not an association in the traditional sense. We have a board that organises the financial and general conditions, but is not responsible for the content. That is done by the grassroots themselves through the various event teams. We are just their point of contact. There is no authority that interferes with the teams. This makes each event very individual and our programme so diverse.
How have you organised yourself for your future role?
There is the topic of sailing, i.e. regattas, sailing events and cruising. Torsten Jegminat is responsible for "Buten" and Christoph Kempermann for "Binnen". They can both be contacted at segeln@fky.org. Then there is the topic of restoration, maintenance and preservation. Martin Mohrmann is in charge of this. He can be contacted at restaurierung@fky.org. And then there's the general spokesperson, that's me. I'm responsible for all topics that don't fall under one of the other departments, i.e. cultural, historical, general information, ideas from members. You can reach me at info@fky.org.
How did the change come about?
Wilfried Horns approached us last summer. As he had filled the office like a full-time job, the question was how this huge mountain of work could be continued with the same quality of volunteers. The office of spokesperson, as stipulated in the statutes of the Freundeskreis Klassische Yachten, can also be filled by several people. And we must not forget that Wilfried Horns is still involved. He is still the publisher and editor-in-chief of our members' magazine "Klassiker!" and operator of our website www.fky.org. which he edits. He is responsible for membership administration and is part of the team that looks after our "Centre for Classic Yachting" project.
What are the first tasks awaiting your new speaker team?
Together, we have a big task ahead of us for the upcoming sailing season. Like everywhere else, the coronavirus has caused great damage to the classic sailing scene because we have been unable to organise many events. The Circle of Friends has the greatest impact on the outside world when we fill harbours with all the beautiful boats and when we can show what a great maritime cultural asset they are. If we hide these boats away in halls and winter storage areas - many of them didn't even go into the water during the coronavirus period - then we won't create the inspiring image to the outside world that we are aiming for.
Has the coronavirus era left any other traces on the classics?
Internally, the circle of friends was very lively. This worked particularly well during the coronavirus pandemic. It was amazing how much cohesion was shown and how intensively the members exchanged information digitally and in this way remained alive as a community. But we have a message, we want to show the outside world that our maritime cultural assets in the form of beautiful boats are important to everyone. And that's why we live from being able to show ourselves. And we now want to make up for this in a very intensified way.
Are there any special projects planned?
Yes, all of our event teams are already full again with enthusiastic people. The Max Oertz Regatta in May will be the first event. This year, The Run night regatta will be combined with the Rendezvous of the Classics during Kiel Week. And then we have also decided to organise another big Classic Week in the summer of 2024. We already have a lot of good ideas for this in the summer of 2024. It should once again be a large, magnetic, collective event that will also have an international appeal.
