An extraordinary highlight for the city of Kiel: the teams will compete against each other in fleet and match races in Kiel's inner fjord. The original training boats will be shipped there especially for the event.
According to Oliver Laskowsky from the UITG, the exact regattas and where they will take place are still being planned. They should be held as close to land as possible. However, as the ships have a draught of over four metres, the choice of venue is limited. The head of the German syndicate, Michael Scheeren, expressed his delight at being able to hold a high-calibre training session against two other teams and at the same time integrate the home port of Kiel. The 24 metre long boats with their 33 metre masts and 320 square metres of sail area will attract a great deal of interest from the public.
Ex-Kieler Tony Kolb is sailing on board BMW Oracle (USA), and boat captain Tim Kröger on the Shosholoza (South Africa) is from Hamburg. This is the first time that current Americas Cuppers have competed against each other in Germany. The Kiel Yacht Club has offered to help the teams with further planning.
Internet pages: www.ui-team-germany.de , www.kiel-sailing-city.de.
