The young sailors from Germany and twelve other countries are ready for the big show in the historic sailing area. Over 800 sailors opened the Joint International German Youth Championships (GIDJM) on Thursday evening with an atmospheric entry parade in the sun-drenched Olympic Centre in Schilksee.
Immediately after the opening ceremony, the helmsmen's meetings took place, and from Friday at 11am things will get serious. The German youth titles in nine official championship classes will be awarded until Tuesday at the venue where the medals of the Olympic Games in Munich/Kiel were won 50 years ago.
The Schilksee Olympic Centre has been firmly in the hands of young people since last weekend. The Optimists, 29er, Ilca 4 and Ilca 6 sailed their warm-up for the GIDJM at the Strander Küz Regatta, and since the beginning of the week the athletes in the other classes, 420er, Europe, Pirat, Teeny and the surfers in the Open Windfoil class have arrived in Schilksee and have been training in preparation for the national highlight of the sailing youth season. The training groups were scattered across Kiel's outer fjord, looking for the sparse wind fields at the beginning of the week and found the best conditions on Wednesday and Thursday with an easterly breeze and thermal support, which should remain in place for the start of the championships.
Sailing will take place on six courses over the next five days. 27 races are planned for the start on Friday in eight classes, as the Europes will only start the GIDJM one day late due to the ongoing European Youth Championship. A total of 140 races have been scheduled.
Olympic feeling: "Atmosphere reminiscent of 1972"
Gerwin Stöcken, Kiel's city councillor for social affairs, housing, health and sport, was delighted with the atmosphere on the site in the Olympic harbour. "The atmosphere is reminiscent of 1972," said Stöcken. For him, the event not only spans the Olympic past into the present, but also into the future: "With this event, we want to remember the 1972 Olympic Games and show that Kiel would also be prepared to host the Olympic Sailing Games today. Eight years ago, the only positive referendum in favour of hosting the Olympic Games was held in Kiel. Unfortunately, it didn't work out in Hamburg." Gerwin Stöcken wished the participants of the German Championships successful days: "I hope you take fond memories of Kiel with you and come back more often."
As Chairman of the Kieler Yacht-Club, which is organising the championships together with the NRV Hamburg and VSaW Berlin, Hauke Berndt also emphasised the commitment of the volunteers: "They give their free time to make regattas like this possible. Without you, we would not have been able to organise so many regattas over the past few months." Just five months in office, Berndt has already celebrated a successful Kiel Week, other top regattas and now the GIDJM followed by the Olympic Revival next week.
Timo Haß, who will retire in February 2023 after twelve years as DSV Youth Chairman in accordance with the articles of association, spoke of a goosebump feeling at the opening: "Above all, these moments will be remembered and compensate for all the hours you have put in."
The German Youth Championships in all official championship classes are being organised for only the sixth time since 1988. For the first time, the GIDJM will be held in Kiel and, 50 years after the 1972 Olympics, will experience an emotional climax, which was kicked off in style with the opening ceremony.
The regatta plan before Schilksee
GIDJM
Classes: Optimist, Ilca 4, Ilca 6, Europe, Teeny, 29er, 420er, Pirate, Open Windfoil Youth.
- Wednesday, 10 August, and Thursday, 11 August: Surveying.
- Friday, 12 August, to Tuesday, 16 August: Races
50 years of Olympia off Kiel-Schilksee:
Classes: Dragon (ranking list regatta/8 races), Flying Dutchman (IDM/7 races), Star (North European Championship/6 races), Tempest (World Championship/9 races).
- Monday, 15 August: Surveying: Tempest
- Tuesday, 16 August: Practice Race: Tempest
- Wednesday, 17 August: Measurement: Star; Races: Tempest
- Thursday, 18 August: Races: Tempest, Star, Dragon
- Friday, 19 August: Races: Tempest, Star, Dragon, Flying Dutchman
- Saturday, 20 August: Races: Tempest, Star, Dragon, Flying Dutchman
- Sunday, 21 August: Races: Tempest, Star, Dragon, Flying Dutchman - afterwards: award ceremonies
Strings:
- FD-IDM: one stringer after five races
- Tempest World Championship: from five races one stringer, from eight races two stringers
- Dragon, Star: one string from three races onwards
All information and results are available at 50yearsolympiakiel.de
