Go4Speed: Sunny start to the season for ORC sailors off Kiel: practical training for the German big boat scene

The German Sailing Association (DSV) and the Regatta-Vereinigung Seesegeln (RVS) had invited 16 teams to the traditional practice training in Strander Bucht. The season opener for the German keelboat sailors turned out to be sunny. "It was fun for everyone to finally sail again. The atmosphere was good and the race organisation was, as usual, a credit to the team. There was good added value for everyone involved," said Johannes Christophers, Head of the Technical and Regatta Department at the DSV, summarising the lively sailing weekend. In slightly lighter winds of between ten and twelve knots on Saturday and a few knots more on Sunday, the crews shook off their winter rust and practised their starts, manoeuvres and boat handling.

Bertil Balser, RVS chairman and service and sales man at North Sails, was able to observe how the teams improved from hour to hour and day to day. His conclusion: "You could tell that many sailors were back on the water for the first time this season on Saturday. Towards the end of the weekend, things were already looking pretty good. The Go4Speed format makes sense for the start of the season. And you could see that something is happening in the ORC scene. If you compare it to Olympic sailing and terms like 'Road to Paris', then this was something like the start of the 'Road to World Championship 2023'." Together with North Sails Managing Director Stefan Matschuck, Balser also took charge of the debriefings after the short races. The drone images were provided by photographer Eike Schurr, giving the Go4Speed participants interesting perspectives on their own performances in addition to photos and clips from the sea.

"Be Part of the Crew": Big boat opportunity for the next generation

Another joint campaign by the DSV and RVS is already underway: Until 1 May, young sailors can apply to take part in a sailing weekend on an ocean-going yacht on the Baltic Sea as part of the "Be Part of the Crew" campaign. The aim is to familiarise yourself with regatta sailing on a larger ORC boat and the chance to secure a permanent place in the crew. This campaign is centred around the Aal Regatta during Kiel Week. The best applicants are selected by a jury of DSV and RVS experts. Click here for information about the campaign with a link to the online application form (please click!). We are looking for young sailors between the ages of 16 and 27. A separate "event" has been set up on Manage2Sail for boat owners interested in the campaign so that they too can register. Click here to register (please click!).