Kieler Woche 2004 (19 to 27 June), the world's biggest sailing event, is the last big test before heading to Athens for the Olympic Games (13 to 29 August).
"We hope that as many Olympians as possible will use Kiel as a dress rehearsal in the battle for the medals and are expecting an extremely large number of national teams," says organisation manager Dieter Rümmeli (Kieler Yacht-Club), who is expecting over 5000 sailors from around 50 nations in the 122nd year of the Kieler Woche.
From the young sailor in the Europe to the experienced sailor in the tall ship, whether disabled sailing world champion or Olympic champion, whether skiff or keelboat sailor - the world's sailing elite flock to the Schleswig-Holstein state capital for the Kieler Woche, which, with the Sailing Kids initiative (all Kiel schoolchildren should have sat in a boat at least once), will ensure that in future there will be no more expert spectators anywhere in the world than in Kiel.
International part (19 to 22 June)
For years, the first half of Kiel Week (19 to 22 June) has belonged to the international classes (15 in total). This year's rotation class is the Bénéteau 25, a playground for once successful dinghy sailors. Former tornado world champions Oliver and René Schwall (bronze medallists in Sydney) will also be competing here.
The highlight is the new trend sport of kitesurfing. Kitesurfing is still a young water sport in which the athlete uses an oversized "kite" (5 to 20 square metres in size depending on the wind) in their hand and a wakeboard-like board (110 to 180 centimetres long depending on skill level) under their feet to be pulled across the water. The interplay of wind, speed and steering enables kitesurfers to perform high and spectacular jumps. This makes the sport a real crowd-puller and a new trend.
The J-24 and H-boats will change courses in 2004. From 19 to 22 June, the J-Boats will sail together with the Hobie 16s and the annual Bénéteau 25 class on the "Bravo" course, while the H-Boats will sail together with dragons and folk boats on the "Delta" course.
Olympic part (23 to 27 June)
From 23 to 27 June, the world's elite will come together. No event is attended by more reigning world and European champions. Those who make it here will also have a chance in Athens. Whether Ben Ainslie (England), who has dominated the Finn class since 2002 after winning silver and gold in the Laser with two European Championship and three World Championship titles, Robert Scheidt (Brazil/five-time Laser World Champion), the American star boat aces Marc Reynolds/Magnus Liljedahl ("Of course we'll be at the start in Kiel") or the German national team with silver medallist Amelie Lux (Kiel/Surfing) and bronze medallist Roland Gäbler (Tinglev/Tornado) - they are all using Kiel Week for an international showdown.
Jochen Schümann will be watching his protégés in Kiel. The 49-year-old (three-time Olympic champion and Americas Cup winner with Alinghi) is the DSV team boss in Athens and will use the opportunity in Kiel to watch his crews compete with the world's elite.
Seebahnen (19 to 27 June)
Around 260 boats are expected on the sea courses (19 to 27 June). The European Championship of the IMS 600 will add value to the sea course regattas. Shipyards and designers have adapted to this attractive class and have built successful boats in recent years with an IMS racing value (GPH) of around 600. Boat types (around 12 metres long) such as the IMX 40, Bénéteau 40.7 and Rodman 42 are just a few examples of the diversity in this class. The fleet also grew in Germany. Horst Mann's "Hispaniola" (KYC/Kiel) sailed successfully in the Copa del Rey off Mallorca last year, while Christian Plump's "Hanseatic Lloyd" (WYC/Bremen) won the title of IMS 600 European Champion off Öland in Sweden in 2003.
There will also be a reunion with the "illbruck" (Round the World Race winner 2002) and the "SEB". The VO-60 yachts will make a stopover in Kiel from Thursday to Saturday before returning to Gotland (Sweden).
Personnel
Thomas "Tom" Ross (45), a lawyer from Kiel, has joined the Kieler Woche team led by Head of Organisation Dieter Rümmeli. Ross is now responsible for the offshore regattas. Winning the Admirals Cup in 1983 as helmsman of the "Outsider" (Hansen/Kiel), the SORC regattas/Florida in 1984 as helmsman of the "Diva" (Beilken/Lübeck) and multiple Kieler Woche victories are among the highlights of Tom Ross' sporting career.
On site or on TV
Kiel is expecting around three million visitors again in 2004 and, in co-operation with the marketing agency Point of Sailing, the state capital is providing the official Kiel Week support ship for the sailing enthusiasts who use the entire fjord shore as a natural grandstand. Thanks to its partners, Germany's most famous sailing event will also once again become a social meeting place. Comprehensive information, culinary delights and entertainment will also be available on land in Schilksee. Talking to world champions and Olympic champions or experiencing the big fireworks display in Schilksee (Tuesday 22 June) with friends - that's also part of Kiel Week.
If you can't make it to Kiel after all, you have the chance to follow the world's largest regatta series via the media. Kiel Week is accompanied by around 300 journalists from five continents, who transport the results and experiences around the world via print, radio, TV and the internet.
Partners and sponsors
BMW has become an even bigger presenter at Kieler Woche. From the Kiel boat harbour (with numerous surprises), live broadcasts of the clash of the Americas-Cuppers off Newport, "Oracle BMW" against "Alinghi" to numerous other engagements in Kiel. Of course, BMW will once again be offering a free shuttle service in Schilksee in 2004. From the Salzwiese and Tempest car parks and the trailer areas on Fördestraße, active participants and visitors will be driven to the harbour apron free of charge.
Alongside BMW, HSH Nordbank is the new sports and cultural partner of Kiel Week. Its CEO Alexander Stuhlmann and Kiel's Lord Mayor Angelika Volquartz signed the contract for three years.
"We are delighted to be able to make a contribution to one of the biggest and most prestigious sporting events. And we are pleased to be able to stand alongside such a good address as BMW," said Stuhlmann, emphasising that HSH Nordbank does not want to put its own stamp on events, but backs them as a partner. A large part of this will be invested in sailing.
Thanks to partners BMW, HSH Nordbank, boot Düsseldorf and sponsors Helly Hansen, Anthros, Ascaion, Comparex, Corum, Deutsche Telekom, Holsten Brauerei, Hugo Hamann, International Farbenwerke, Lankhorst/Hohorst, Nordac/Company of Capgemini, Olympus Deutschland, SanPellegrino, Segler-Zeitung and Simrad, Germany's best-known sporting event will also once again be a social event.
Dates:
Kiel Week 2004 (19 to 27 June).
Part 1: International classes (19 to 22 June).
505, Dragon, H-Boat, Flying Dutchman, Folkeboot, Kielzugvogel, Laser Radial, 420, OK Dinghy, Pirate, Contender, Europe M, Hobie 16, J24, Bénéteau 25.
Part 2: Olympic classes (23 to 27 June).
Yngling W, 49er, 470er W+M, Laser, Europe W, Finn-Dinghy, Tornado, Mistral W+M, Starboat, Paralympic Class 2.4mR.
Sea courses: 19 to 27 June.
