The Ocean Race: The video of the fly-by stage and impressive fan numbers

A few days after the Ocean Race summit in Kiel, Kiel-Marketing published a summary with new, impressive figures for the sailing spectator magnet. A press release states: "Kiel.Sailing.City has delivered for The Ocean Race Fly-By and recommended itself for a future stopover, for example at The Ocean Race Europe, in race management and in the sailing scene."

As a fly-by harbour in the Ocean Race, Kiel has presented a first-class and passionate calling card as host. This was also confirmed by the circumnavigators themselves. "Guyot" co-skipper Robert Stanjek said: "What was going on there? That was sheer madness, very, very touching. I think everyone was really impressed. Nobody expected that. I don't think any other stage harbour has experienced it with such enthusiasm."

Kiel showed itself from its best side - a perfectly organised fly-by" (Boris Herrmann)

"Malizia - Seaexplorer" skipper Boris Herrmann said: "This was a spectacular passage that will remain unforgettable - for all of us on board. Many thanks to everyone who came to Kiel. Kiel showed itself from its best side - a perfectly organised fly-by."

Uwe Wagner, Managing Director of Kiel-Marketing, explains in the summary: "After evaluating the measurement data, TV recordings and discussions with those responsible on land and at sea, Kiel's Lord Mayor Dr Ulf Kämpfer, we - Kiel-Marketing GmbH as the organiser - and the team of The Ocean Race can look back on an all-round successful event. The television pictures went around the world, especially the helicopter shots brought back memories of the finish of the 'Illbruck' in 2002."

Kiel as a summer cinema screen for the Ocean Race show

NDR had extended its planned one-hour live broadcast to almost three hours without further ado. Wagner continued: "You can only get this close in Kiel, this kind of hands-on sailing is only possible here in Kiel's inner fjord, and that's what characterises our Kiel.Sailing.City!" With their balance sheet, the people of Kiel sent new, impressive spectator numbers that far exceeded the initially estimated numbers on the day of the event. For example, 25,000 people came to the Ocean Live Park and the Kiellinie on the day before the fly-by for the Marine Conservation City Day.

On the fly-by day itself, these figures were impressive in the period between the arrival of the leading yacht "Malamā" from the US team 11th Hour Racing at the Kiel lighthouse, the live broadcasts and the rounding of the turning mark in the Kiel inner fjord to the final departure of the "Malizia - Seaexplorer" as the fifth boat at the Kiel lighthouse:

120,000 fans along the seven-kilometre-long coastline

35,000 spectators experienced the festival in the Ocean Live Park, which was centred around sailing around the world. Including the guests at the evening concert, there were as many as 45,000. 60,000 people enjoyed the sailing spectacle along the Kiellinie. A total of 120,000 fans experienced the Ocean Race summit along the seven kilometres of coastline at the best viewing points on the western and eastern shores, which are also known from Kiel Week.

Also on Saturday after the Kiel fly-by still enjoyed 18,000 guests at Ocean Live Park The colourful offer for the whole family, including the live concert by Radio Bob and the DJ music on the Sustainable bay Stage.

Crews on 3,000 boats celebrate the Kiel Ocean Race Summit

The number of private boats in Kiel's inner fjord, initially estimated at 2,000, quickly increased by a further 1,000 boats when the closure of the fairway was lifted. Many of the skippers and their guests on board were already waiting for the racers well in front of the Kiel lighthouse and took the opportunity to sail close to the Imocas.

Click here for great memories of sprint stage six with a look back at the Kiel fly-by:

And here, two days before the start of the final stage to Genoa, are the intermediate standings in the classification.