The organisers of Kiel Week have responded to criticism regarding procedures, communication and problems with starting boats last year. A feedback campaign carried out during the 131st Kiel Week brought the organisers hundreds of response forms. The impressions of the active participants as well as negative and positive criticism were evaluated in several follow-up rounds and have already been implemented in concrete measures for the 132nd Kiel Week from 20 to 28 June.
Kieler Woche: Active feedback leads to changes
Dirk Ramhorst, Head of Organisation for Kiel Week, explained: "This process will continue right up to the first starting signal and beyond, because the high expectations of the sailors are not only justified, but also our own." The feedback from the athletes will be taken into account both on the water and on land. According to the organisers, a number of changes are already being incorporated into the preparations. The orientation for the competitions will be "consistently based on the guidelines of the World Sailing Association".
In addition to the exchange of know-how among the world's leading organisers, "internationally renowned experts in the various class requirements" are to provide impulses for course setting, course quality and overall regatta management as so-called "Course Representatives" on all courses.
Also on the Displeasure about repeated problems with the launch vessels and their anchoring, particularly among sea sailors last year and subsequently cancelled races, the organisers have reacted. "Among other things, a targeted selection of starting boats with optimised anchor gear should ensure the high event standard even on strong wind days and avoid annoying delays or race cancellations," explained Fabian Bach, the chief race director for the inshore courses.
Kiel Week athletes take centre stage
A different starting ship with a longer anchor chain is to be used on the sea course. The starting groups for the eel regatta are also to be compressed: The last boats will start the race to Eckernförde less than two hours after the first. There, the last yachts will finish earlier this year because the slower groups will open the race. In addition, the race officers will be on hand to give feedback at the awards ceremony. A sailing party for active sailors only is planned for the Tuesday of Kiel Week.
Sailors should also take centre stage away from the regatta courses. After the races, the Sailors Lounge will be reserved for them as an exclusive chill-out area with cheaper snacks and drinks. Also optimised for the active sailors: The promenade in front of the ramps will be closed to the public during the main times of slipping before leaving and entering the harbour, so as not to endanger anyone and to enable speedy processes. There are plans to resume the trailer shuttle to the harbour apron with a new automotive partner. On-site sail and boat repair services will support the Kieler Woche participants.
The organisers want to score points with clarity in the run-up to Kiel Week. For example, the sailing instructions are to be published early with clearer and more comprehensible wording, especially for sea sailing. A clearer separation of the three areas is also planned: the Olympic disciplines, the international classes and the sea sailing races. The Manage2Sail portal has been converted to mobile-first in line with user behaviour.
Sailing in the TV spotlight
What's good, stays good: the Sailing Arena in the heart of the Kiel-Schilksee Olympic Centre. Fans, onlookers, families and friends can experience the regatta action live on the big screen via KielerWoche.TV during the races of the day in selected classes. The broadcasts of the races can also be followed via GPS tracker on the Internet. A number of sailing stars in the Olympic classes had recently missed such an offer at the first two major events of the season in Spain and France.
Live coverage is planned for the first five days of Kiel Week. Thanks to new transmission technology, KielerWoche.TV can now broadcast from almost all the lanes in the Bay of Kiel. According to the organisers, this means that the previously necessary rotation of the selected class to the Hotel media track can probably be largely dispensed with. In the second international half of Kieler Woche, a mix of TV highlights, social media content and live acts will make the stage programme even more exciting. With an even stronger, varied presence in the social networks, Kieler Woche wants to fulfil another participant request.
If you want to be active on social media channels yourself, you can access a gallery of action photos and atmospheric images. These motifs are available via the regatta-specific website at sailing.kieler-woche.de which has been online for several months now. In terms of communication with the athletes, the organisers are relying on fast, targeted channels via a Kiel Week web app, which will be tailored to the individual boat classes. There will also be a WhatsApp broadcast channel on which the intentions and decisions of the race organisers, weather and wind information, protest times and more will be communicated.
The sporting action at Kiel Week
The start of Kiel Week also remains classic: it opens with the eel regatta on the first Saturday morning from the Inneförde to Eckerförde. At midday, after the opening, the Olympic part will start under the sign of the Sailing Grand Slams. Where the athletes stand in the ranking of the Sailing Grand Slam before Kiel Week, can be looked up here. While the decisions on Wednesday (24 June) in the medal races the Flying Dutchman (FD) will start their world championship with more than 70 boats. One day later, the 29er Eurocup starts as a dress rehearsal for the World Championship, which will be held in the same area shortly after Kieler Woche.
Together, the Aalregatta at the start and the Kiel Cup races form the IDM Seesegeln Inshore, or Viking Challenge for short. The German championship title is also at stake for double-handed crews in the combination of the Silver Ribbon and Senate Prize, before the Kiel Week titles are awarded in the final of the international classes on the second weekend.
A look back! The highlights of Kiel Week 2025 from YACHT tv:
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
