For the 87th Warnemünde Week (5th to 13th July), the sailing event is attracting over 800 athletes in 600 boats to the Mecklenburg Baltic coast. The organisers report that entries have been received from all continents. A total of 38 nations are represented in 13 competitions. The championship programme includes the World Championship for the junior class Zoom8, the European Championships for OK dinghies and Musto skiffs, the European Cups in the Ilca classes and 505s as well as other ranking list and sea regattas.
Strong field of participants inspires organisers
The result of the entries was met with enthusiasm by the organisers. "We have really strong classes at the start - not only in terms of quantity, but also in terms of quality," says Ralf Bergel, Chairman of Warnemünde Week. The numbers for the Ilcas, the OK dinghies and for Rund Bornholm are excellent. Bergel expects that the field will continue to grow, especially in the sea races due to last-minute entries from local crews. Sports Director Peter Ramcke sees the nine regatta days as a great advertisement for Warnemünde's potential bid to host the Olympic sailing competitions in 2036, 2040 or 2044. "From a sailing and organisational perspective, we can say that we would also be ready for the Olympics," says Ramcke. The influx from all over the world shows the strong standing of Warnemünde among sailors.
Ilca classes as a highlight at the start
The Europa Cup of the three Ilca classes right at the start of the regattas (5 to 8 July) will be a mega-event during the Warnemünde Week. Over 300 participants have been announced. For the youngest Ilca sailors, competing off Warnemünde is always a great challenge. Those transferring from the youth classes have to face the often strong winds and high waves as well as international competition on the Baltic Sea.
High-calibre competition in all classes
Anna Munch from Denmark is the favourite in the Ilca 6 class. She only just missed out on a medal in fourth place at the World Championships in May. In the field of over 70 Ilca 7 sailors, the ambitious German athletes will be keen to prove themselves with a view to the upcoming Olympic Games. Julian Hoffmann and Ole Schweckendiek, who sailed into the top 25 at the last World Championships, are going into the Europa Cup with high hopes of a top placing.
Further highlights in the regatta programme
The OK Dinghy European Championship from 6 to 9 July also promises excitement. André Budzien from Schwerin, three-time world champion, is one of the favourites in stronger winds. Ulli Kurfeld from Wismar, last year's winner of the Warnemünde Week, is also highly rated. In the second half of the week, the youngsters in Zoom8 return with their world championship (9 to 13 July). After last year's successful World Championships, the class once again chose Warnemünde as the venue.
Sea regatta "Around Bornholm" as a cult event
For sea sailors, "Rund Bornholm", the long-distance regatta through the Baltic Sea, is increasingly becoming a real cult event. Almost 40 crews will set off from Warnemünde on Monday, 7 July at 12 noon to prove their seaworthiness on the 250 nautical mile course around the Danish island of Bornholm and back to Warnemünde. The fast ex-ocean racers "Ospa" and "Illbruck" from Rostock are expected to be the first to cross the finish line.
