The Ocean Race: Just like 21 years ago - the big guide to the fly-by in Kiel
Tatjana Pokorny
· 08.06.2023
When you think of the Ocean Race and the Schleswig-Holstein state capital of Kiel, the triumphant voyage of the "Illbruck" in the 2002 Volvo Ocean Race immediately springs to mind. Back then, it was also on 9 June that Michael Illbruck's team on the green and white Ocean Race yacht secured victory in the race around the world. It was the first victory for a German boat in the history of the most famous round-the-world race for teams, which started in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race.
Second place behind the "Djuice Dragons" on the final leg from Gothenburg to Kiel was enough for the Illbruck Challenge to triumph two decades ago. With 61 points after a total of nine Ocean Race legs at the time, the crew relegated their Swedish rivals on "Assa Abloy" (55 points) and Grant Dalton's "Amer Sports One" (44 points) to second and third place. Hundreds of thousands of fans witnessed the "green miracle" live in the Sailing City and celebrated the success. 21 years later, the Ocean Race is now returning to Kiel with a German boat and several German sailors.
The sixth stage starts the evening before in Aarhus
The route of the 14th Ocean Race will take the fleet on the sixth and penultimate leg from Aarhus in Denmark via Kiel to The Hague in Holland from 8 June. The starting signal in Aarhus will be given at 6 pm in the evening. The fleet will reach the Kiel Fjord on the afternoon of 9 June. A turning mark directly in front of the Ocean Live Park (at the level of Camp 24/7) on the Kiellinie will bring the sailors very close to the shore and to the fans.
The hosts are expecting a high level of interest over the three days of the event. The Ocean Live Park will open in Kiel on 8 June at 3 pm. Live broadcasts to Aarhus, an attractive main stage programme and many well-known guests from the world of sailing will provide entertainment during the fly-by. Ocean Race legends from the past and stars of tomorrow will be there. Fans in Kiel will also be able to watch the starting signal in Aarhus live on the big screen. Visitors can expect plenty of infotainment from Kiel's Reventlouwiese to the Admiral's Bridge of the Geomar Institute.
How the fly-by should work
The day before the arrival, the Ocean Race Summit and Kiel Marketing will present the Marine Conservation City Day in Ocean Live Park. The aim of the large hands-on and cultural programme for ocean fans of all ages is to "anchor" the local importance and opportunities of marine conservation in Kiel in a tangible way.
On 9 June, the Ocean Live Park will open its gates at 12 noon as the fleet approaches Kiel. The boats are expected to arrive at Kiel Lighthouse at around 3 pm on "Furious Friday". The rounding of the turning mark in front of the keel line is planned for around 4 pm. The fairway will be closed from 15 to 17 and will only be available to the Ocean Race yachts. According to race director Phil Lawrence, it will already be a challenge to hit this time slot well. The fleet will then be escorted into the fjord and protected. Lawrence emphasises that spectator boats sailing around everywhere should be avoided as a matter of urgency: "The biggest risk is collisions in the spectator fleet." He is convinced that everyone will get a good spot and asks: "Stay out of the main channel until the last boat has rounded the buoy and the fleet is on its way out again. Then you can follow."
Live on your own keel
Interested skippers and captains of spectator boats should position themselves to the east or west of the fairway in good time for the highlight on the afternoon of 9 June, as this must be kept clear for the Ocean Race fleet. A so-called Exclusion Zone will be available exclusively to the Ocean Race teams. A helicopter will accompany the fleet out of the fjord until 5 p.m. and transmit images so that spectators can follow the race live until the early evening. In the evening, a concert will be served up on the stage in Kiel's Ocean Live Park.
On land, the spectacle will be commented on throughout. The three-day sailing festival ends on 10 June with a Waszp regatta and the Kiel ESailing Cup. Just one week later, on 17 June, the starting signal is given for the Kiel Week. Their sporting conductor Dirk Ramhorst says: "The visit of the Ocean Race fleet on 9 June will bring back memories of the Ocean Race victory of the 'Illbruck' in 2002, when hundreds of thousands stood on the beach with green gloves and a goosebump atmosphere prevailed. I myself will also be taking part in the fly-by as a volunteer and hope for a great atmosphere on and around the Kiel Fjord one week before Kiel Week.
The Kiel Fly-by in the LIVE ticker on yacht.de
A live ticker will be set up here on yacht.de for all those at home. We will be reporting live from Kiel, as always close to the action. To make sure you don't miss anything, it will also be worthwhile for everyone in Kiel to take a look at the ticker.
The programme at a glance
Further information is on the website of the organiser to find.
This might also interest you:
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
