For the third time in its history, the Ocean Race is making a guest appearance in Kiel. After the legendary finish of the 2001/02 world race with the victory of the German "Illbruck" and the Fly-by two years ago, the state capital of Schleswig-Holstein is this time the starting point for the Ocean Race Europe.
The Ocean Live Park on the Kiellinie
From Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August 2025, visitors can experience the Ocean Race Europe up close, free of charge and outdoors! Over the five days of the event, the Kiellinie from the Geomar meadow in the south to the Blücherbrücke bridge in the north will be transformed into a stage for sailing and sustainability with the Ocean Live Park - with a varied programme of information stands, workshops, concerts and ocean films, sailing experiences and hands-on activities.
Opening hours of the Ocean Live Park
- Wednesday, 6 August and Thursday, 7 August: 1-7 p.m., followed by concerts and films on the main stage until 10 p.m.
- Friday, 08.08. to Sunday, 10.08.: 10 am - 7 pm, followed by concerts and films on the main stage until 10 pm, on Sunday until 8 pm
Speed runs on the inner fjord
The speed runs of the Imoca yachts on Kiel's inner fjord are an absolute highlight for all sailing enthusiasts. On the event days Friday and Saturday, the Imoca 60 racing yachts will be seen in four speed run sessions on the inner fjord - in the mornings and afternoons. Moderation and live broadcasting will take place on the event stage.
The dock-out shows and speed runs are a real highlight! You can experience these exciting short-distance races directly from the Kiellinie. Thanks to the live broadcast on the stage, you are always right in the middle of the action.
During the speed runs and the start, the Restricted areas in the fjord to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
The YACHT Live Talk
On Saturday, 9 August, YACHT will be inviting legends of the Ocean Race onto the big stage from 16:30-17:30. Topic: The Ocean Race yesterday, today and in the future. It's going to be interesting! The panellists are:
- Andreas Hestermann, Participation Whitbread 1989
- Tim Kröger, Participation multiple times
- Rosalin Kuiper, co-skipper Team Malizia 2023, now skipper Team Holcim
- Cornelius EichTeam Malizia, Sustainability Officer, German Committee for the Ocean Decade, First Lieutenant German Navy
- Andreas Badenwould like another German team for offshore classes
The big launch on 10 August
At 13:20 on Sunday, the parade of the crews starts on land through the Ocean Live Park to the boats at the Blücherbrücke. With a big dockout show, all the teams are bid farewell one after the other with individual background music.
First of all, all Imocas will sail a short distance into the city like a string of pearls before turning round and, after passing the Friedrichsorter Enge, sailing to the actual start at Schilksee/Laboe at around 15:45. The parade, dockout show and the start will also be broadcast on the large LED screen on the stage with expert commentary from sailing experts.
Ocean Dome and film screenings
The mini play line is specially designed for younger guests, while the Ocean Dome shows 360° ocean films for all ages. The offer ranges from children's films such as "The Legend of the Magic Reef" to research films and the "Sounds of the Ocean" concert with film and live performance. Dome production "A traveller's guide to the Seafloor" by Tom Kwasnitschka celebrates its premiere at the Ocean Race and will be shown twice.
Concerts, live performances and more
There is a varied programme of concerts and entertainment on the main stage on all days of the event.
The great sailing legends, first and foremost the "anchorman" of German ocean sailing Boris Herrmann, skipper of the Malizia - Seaexplorer team, will be very close, especially at the official opening on Wednesday at 5.30 pm with the presentation of all seven racing teams on the big stage on the Reventlouwiese. Already in the morning there will be a colourful children's and school programme at the Kids Ocean Day with Birte Lorenzen-Herrmann, Boris' wife, among others.
The many exhibitors, partners and sponsors also invite visitors to enjoy a varied programme at their stands. The Ocean Race collection will be on sale at Helly Hansen, Volvo Cars will be offering test drives and the Bioland Mobil on the Kiellinie will be hosting a cookery show at lunchtime and in the afternoon on Friday and Saturday. And much, much more.......!!!
Daily programme and highlights
Wednesday, 6 August 2025 - Ocean Day
- 10.45 am - 1 pm School class programme (registration required)
- 1 pm Opening Ocean Live Park
- 2pm - 3pm Piet Rakete - family concert
- 17.30-18.45 Opening with Kiel's Lord Mayor Dr Ulf Kämpfer and all teams on stage
- 19-22 h Music: Pat Burgener, Sean Koch
Thursday, 7 August 2025 - Fanday
- 1 p.m. Opening Ocean Live Park, interviews on stage, autograph session
- 1pm - 4pm The Ocean Race Europe Summit (conference with pre-registration)
- 5-7 p.m. Stage programme: Ocean Race films, talks, sustainable sailing, circus show "Meermanege"
- 7 pm Sea Cinema
Friday, 8 August 2025 - On Water Action
- 10-10.30 a.m. Dock-out show (Blücherbrücke) with run-out songs by the teams
- 10.30-11.30 a.m. Pro-Am Speedruns (Session 1) with TV broadcast on the main stage
- 11.30-15 hrs Stage programme: science show, sailing heroines of the seas, talk
- 15-15.30 Dock-out show, session 2, with TV broadcast on the main stage
- 16.30-18.30 Stage programme: including female offshore sailors, Best of Speedruns
- 7pm-10pm Concerts with "Tanga Electric" and Lea & the Lioncage
Saturday, 9 August 2025 - On Water Action
- 10-10.30 a.m. Dock-out show with TV broadcast on main stage
- 10.30-11.30 a.m. Pro-Am Speedruns, Session 3, TV broadcast on main stage
- 11.30-15 hrs Stage programme: science show, heroines of the seas, Kiel News talk with sailing experts, etc.
- 3 p.m. Dock-out show, session 4, with TV broadcast on main stage
- 16.30-17.30 Stage programme: YACHT-Talk - Ocean Race past and present
- 18-18.30 hrs Speedrun awards ceremony with all skippers and stage show
- 19-22 h Concerts with "Nia" and "Nina Hepburn"
Sunday, 10 August 2025 - Race day
- 10-11.45 a.m. Piet Rakete - family concert
- 12-13.20 Stage programme: talks, interviews and films
- 13.20-14.15 Sailing parade, Warner Brother Discovers (WBD) Live, dock-out show
- 14.15-15 hrs GER Legends Show
- 3pm - 4pm WBD Live, with TV broadcast on the main grandstand
- 15.45 Start of stage 1
- 4-6 p.m. Stage programme: Live painter Mark Westermann, "Best moments from five days in Kiel"
- 18-19.30 Sea Cinema
