Warnemünde Week: Small World Championship summit, league sport and long-distance fun at the 86th edition
Tatjana Pokorny
· 05.07.2024
Organisers, race teams, volunteers and participants are already in the starting blocks for the opening of the 86th Warnemünde Week. The sailing week, which was first organised in 1926, is starting its 86th edition with sailing at its heart. "When I think of Warnemünde Week, I think of the sailors who come to us from all over the world, but of course also of the extensive cultural and sports programme on land. I am delighted that we are able to host the event and present our city from its best side," said Rostock's Lord Mayor Eva-Maria Kröger at the advance press conference.
Dinghies, skiffs and keelboats at the start
The European Cups of the Ilca classes, the 505 and the 29er, the Warnemünde Week appearance of the first and second division teams of the Bundesliga from 12 to 14 July and a Champions League qualifier as well as the Zoom8 World Championship mark some of the highlights of the sports programme. There will also be the International German Contender Championship, the German Open in the Beneteau First 18 SE, ranking list regattas for the Korsar, Flying Dutchman, OK, Finn and H-Boat classes. Keelboat crews are challenged at the Mecklenburgische Bäderregatta, the Gedser Cup and the classic Rund Bornholm.
"From a sporting point of view, the sailing competitions at the highest level are a great advertisement. They show that athletes from all over the world appreciate the good conditions in our sailing area," said Eva-Maria Kröger. She continued: "Culturally, the event offers a varied programme - from the traditional Niege Ümgang to modern music performances and public viewing. There's something for everyone." The sporting and international flair during Warnemünde Week and the diverse cultural programme on land are appreciated by holidaymakers and day visitors to the Baltic seaside resort, which also benefits the entire town economically.
Peter Ramcke is expecting many highlights on the water during the sailing competitions. The sports director of Warnemünde Week is particularly looking forward to the world championship in the Zoom8 class, a small, lightweight single-handed dinghy for children and young people. "This is a very interesting class in which there used to be large fields. I organised the last World Championship in Germany in 2005, and now it's time again," said Ramcke.
Offshore diversity and league sport
Ramcke named the European Cups for the Ilca and 29er as further highlights. "The Ilca sailors have been taking part in Warnemünde Week for a long time, but the European Cup is a première for the 29ers. Hopefully they like the area and the conditions," said Peter Ramcke, who is also looking forward to the Contender Championship. As one of his goals for the future, Peter Ramcke has his sights set on the offshore sailing competitions, which he would like to focus even more on popular sport so that families and even more young athletes can take part.
The 86th Warnemünde Week marks the return of German league sport after a long break. The first and second division teams kicked off the season in Berlin in mid-April and are now picking up speed again with two events: On the first weekend of Warnemünde Week, the German sailors from both national leagues will be challenged, while on the second weekend, the third and final qualifier for the Champions League final from 26 to 29 September in Portugal will take place off Warnemünde. Seven international club teams, including ambitious German crews, will then have the chance to sail their ticket to Vilamoura from among the 17 club teams competing.
53 league teams set course for Warnemünde
The first and second division races will take place on the first weekend of Warnemünde Week in front of the Hohe Düne marina. After the first meeting of the first division teams, the Mühlenberger Segel-Club will enter the Warnemünder Arena as the front runners ahead of the Joersfelder Segel-Club and the record winners from the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein. In the 2nd Bundesliga, the Blankeneser Segel-Club has the lead after the first showdown.
It looks like rather unusual conditions. We are expecting south-south-westerly winds" (Oliver Schwall)
League manager Oliver Schwall expects exciting races and unusual wind conditions for the Warnemünde league summit. On the journey to Warnemünde on Friday, Schwall said: "It looks like the conditions will be rather unusual. The classic north-westerly conditions with waves and constant winds will probably not prevail at first. We are expecting more south-south-westerly winds." The exciting sport of the 38 first and second division teams is easy to follow directly from the centre pier.
ASV local heroes attack first-class
As local heroes, the sailors from ASV Warnemünde can expect a lot of support from the public. The team will be competing in the 1st Bundesliga for the second year in a row after finishing runners-up in the second division in 2022 and gaining promotion as a result. The ASV team was the only national league team from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to finish 13th out of the 18 teams in Berlin.
Water sports are celebrated intensively at Warnemünde Week, even without sails. One of the popular highlights is the dragon boat festival on the second weekend (13/14 July). Mario Herrmann, deputy chairman of the organising SV Breitling, expects a soaring fun barometer and wild races on the water, as well as a cheerful festival on the southern Alte Strom. He is particularly looking forward to one new feature: "We are setting up a marquee on the event site for our party, which used to take place in Rostock. This will hopefully allow as many of the 1,200 to 1,300 active participants as possible to take part."
A drone's-eye view of the Warnemünde Week area - the 86th edition will be celebrated for nine days on water and on land in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's splendour:
