Ocean Race Europe: Kiel will be the starting port - Boris Herrmann: "The jackpot for us!"
Tatjana Pokorny
· 14.02.2024
The German sailing capital of Kiel will be the new starting harbour for the Ocean Race Europe. The compact European prelude to the next Ocean Race 2027 will start in the Schleswig-Holstein state capital on 10 August 2025. Kiel's Lord Mayor Dr Ulf Kämpfer put the total commitment of the city, state and other sponsors at around two million euros.
What will pay off is our experience from the fly-by and Kiel Week" (Dr Ulf Kämpfer)
Kiel's Lord Mayor said in detail: "The city of Kiel has its own contribution. The state is supporting us with 500,000 euros. We will also have sponsorship and funding. But in the end, it's an investment. What will simply pay off is our experience from the fly-by and Kiel Week. That's great, and that's why we have the confidence to do it."
The contract was signed by Dr Ulf Kämpfer and Ocean Race organiser Richard Brisius at a press conference in Kiel on Wednesday. Kämpfer said: "Last year we were able to welcome The Ocean Race with a fly-by. That was a great success. The fact that we will now be the starting harbour for The Ocean Race Europe makes me incredibly proud. It will be a big summer festival in Kiel, where we want to transport many, many aspects and inspire many people."
For me as a German sailor and for us as Team Malizia with strong German roots, this is of course a jackpot" (Boris Herrmann)
Apart from the Italian port of Genoa, none of the other six to seven ports for the Ocean Race European Tour have been finalised. This means that the route of the compact midsummer race remains open for the time being. Boris Herrmann's Malizia team has already registered for next year's sailing spectacle in Kiel. The 42-year-old from Hamburg, who will be competing in his second solo circumnavigation of the Vendée Globe from 10 November, said of the Kiel coup in the Ocean Race Europe: "For me as a German sailor and for us as Team Malizia with strong German roots, this is of course a jackpot."
Will there be a Guyot comeback?
Whether other German teams will join is still uncertain. Jens Kuphal, the co-manager of Team Guyot in the last Ocean Race, was one of the interested guests at the announcement in Kiel on Wednesday. The German-French-British team had experienced lows and highs. Jens Kuphal said in Kiel: "We will collect the last container from the Ocean Race next week. That will symbolically close the chapter. Will that be it now?"
The Ocean Race Europe would of course be a great opportunity to get back on our feet" (Jens Kuphal)
Jens Kuphal, whose team led by Robert Stanjek had won the premiere of the Ocean Race Europe, mused aloud: "Robert Stanjek and I had once promised ourselves that we would make it to the starting line of the Ocean Race. We fought for this for eight years - and made it with a lot of worries, but also a lot of perseverance." Will the Berliners dare to try again? Jens Kuphal says: "It's kind of an unfinished business. The Ocean Race Europe would of course be a great opportunity to get back on our feet ..."
Kiel, meanwhile, was rewarded by the Ocean Race organisers for its historic role in the Ocean Race and its successful guest appearance as a fly-by port on 6 June 2023 with a total of around 200,000 enthusiastic spectators with the hosting rights for the start of the Ocean Race Europe 2025.
The start of the Ocean Race Europe in Kiel is an opportunity to demonstrate the power of sport" (Richard Brisius)
Richard Brisius enthused: "Kiel has hosted Olympic sailing regattas twice and has become world famous as the venue for Europe's biggest sailing event Kieler Woche. The start of The Ocean Race Europe in Kiel is an opportunity to demonstrate the power of sport."
An active regatta and event area is planned for the opening Ocean Race summer summit in the "Sailing City" of Kiel, which will extend between Reventlouwiese and Blücherbrücke. The "little sister of the Ocean Race" will be sailed exclusively on Imocas, as will the upcoming circumnavigation in 2027. This means that the two-class society of the previous edition has been abolished.
Boris Herrmann: "Kiel feels like home to me"
Boris Herrmann and his team celebrated Kiel's strong position in the Ocean Race Europe. With their charisma, they have contributed significantly to the rise of German popularity in the Ocean Race in recent years. Boris Herrmann said: "We are all really happy and excited that The Ocean Race Europe will start in Kiel next year! Kiel feels like home to me. I have grown here over the years ..."
Looking at his team partners, Boris Herrmann said: "Geomar and our scientific partners are also located here in Kiel. The Ocean Race Europe launch will be a great opportunity for the public to meet the team, see the boat and learn about our education programme in 2025. So for me and Team Malizia, it's a great announcement. We can't wait to take part in this race!"
United Europe: The regatta motto is "Connecting Europe"
Following the premiere of the Ocean Race Europe in 2021, which was overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic, the organisers and first official participants are looking forward to the second edition with great enthusiasm. The regatta motto "Connecting Europe" will not only be reflected in the future course. The participants from different nations will also reinforce it.
The course will include the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. A regatta duration of around six weeks is planned. Further harbours for the Ocean Race Europe are expected to be announced in the spring.
