Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will the 132nd Kiel Week on the evening of 20 June at Kiel’s Rathausmarkt. The head of state of the Federal Republic of Germany is thus continuing a tradition in which prominent statesmen and women have time and again kicked off the world’s largest sailing week. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel also performed this role on two occasions, in 2006 and 2008.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier pays tribute to the work of the DLRG
Frank-Walter Steinmeier will not limit himself to just one official engagement. On the first Saturday, he will Kiel Week (20 to 28 June) Ahead of the evening event in the city centre, visitors are also expected outside the Kiel-Schilksee Olympic Centre, the heart of sailing for the world’s largest nine-day sailing week. There, Frank-Walter Steinmeier intends to highlight the voluntary work carried out by the German Life Saving Association (DLRG).
Before the Federal President arrives there, the Kiel Week sailing regatta The event has already been opened on stage at the Sailing Arena in the Olympic Centre by Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister for the Interior, Magdalena Finke, Lord Mayor Samet Yilmaz and other guests of honour. They will give the starting signal together with Dirk Ramhorst, Head of Sport for Kieler Woche.
Two days earlier, Germany’s most famous sailor, Boris Herrmann, with his team, Malizia arrive in Kiel. Whilst the new racing yacht “Malizia 4” in France is drawing closer to completion Set to be launched at the end of June, the six-time round-the-world sailor is bringing the research vessel “Malizia Explorer” and the team’s own GC32 racing catamaran to Sailing City.
Boris Herrmann: with two boats and important messages for Kiel Week
On Friday (19 June), ahead of the opening, Boris Herrmann will be talking to the German-Austrian big-wave surfer Sebastian Steudtner about a topic close to both their hearts: safety in water sports. This applies to both sailing and surfing. The well-known sporting duo are expected to be at the Sailing Arena from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm. This will be followed by a Q&A session and autograph signing with the two sporting stars.
The following day, on 20 June at 6 pm, Boris Herrmann and members of his team are expected to take to the stage at the Sailing Arena for the “Fan Moment”. In the heart of the harbour, the organisers will be showing live broadcasts of the races during the first Olympic half of Kiel Week. Among the sporting highlights of Kiel Week are the Olympic sailors’ series as part of the Sailing Grand Slam. Also on the programme are the German Inshore Championship for offshore sailors (Viking Challenge) and the World Championship in the former Olympic class, the Flying Dutchman.
The Kieler Woche fireworks display will take place at half-time on 24 June at 11 pm. In the second half, sailors in the international classes will be put to the test. In addition, Kieler Woche will be welcoming visitors to the Schilksee Olympic Centre from 20 to 28 June with a very varied programme of events.
“Around the World with No Clue”: the Segeljungs visit Kiel Week
At the heart of the event, situated between the entertainment and information stands (10 am to 8 pm) and a wide range of food and drink options available until midnight on the harbour foreland, is the Sailing Arena stage with its large LED screen. For five days, live races with commentary will be shown there on KielerWoche.TV, before Sailing Insights and stories from the international classes begin on Thursday (12 noon to 3 pm). Alongside Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a number of prominent figures are expected in Kiel-Schilksee on the sidelines of the regatta.
The International Ocean Film Tour will also be appearing on the first “KiWo” Sunday from 7.30 pm with Vol. 12, the first of a total of three film evenings. Following excerpts from the Cinemare Sea Film Festival on Wednesday (24 June), the Segeljungs will be screening their adventure film ‘Around the World with No Clue’ on the second Saturday (27 June). A discussion with the audience is planned afterwards.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter