The view out of the window is chilling. The clouds hang low over the Kiel Fjord. Thick, grey and obviously full of water. Not really a good omen for the winning trip, which YACHT had raffled off at short notice in cooperation with HTC. A day's sailing on the classic twelve-oared "Vanity V", which the four winners and their four travelling companions hoped would be the most memorable experience of their sailing careers. But even such a beautiful ship is no fun in the rain.
At ten o'clock sharp, the winners gather in front of the Vaasahalle in Kiel-Schilksee on Saturday morning. Young and old. More young than old, however, because the competition had been publicised primarily through the YACHT Facebook page. People exchange ideas and recognise each other from the photos. All around is a hustle and bustle. It's the first day of Kiel Week and all the shore areas are occupied by dinghies. In between, pavilions of sailmakers, clothing manufacturers and much more as far as the eye can see. The Olympic elimination in the 470 is on the agenda for this day. The "Vanity V" cannot be spotted anywhere in the harbour. No wonder, she is waiting in front of the marina and arrived from Denmark that very morning.
The twelve co-sailors are disembarked by rib. After all, the ship is a twelve-seater ... It's an unusual feeling to move around on the narrow ship with its low freeboard. There is no railing at all, but the absolutely non-slip pinewood deck creates a feeling of safety. Each guest is given a regatta lifejacket and an on-board oilskin. With the waistcoat underneath, even the more petite guests can suddenly fit into the larger jacket sizes. As soon as everyone is dressed, a short safety briefing begins. The skipper speaks only English, points out the escape routes ("... here and here and here ...") and promises to collect anyone who falls overboard as quickly as possible. Then comes the first highlight. The four winners each receive a smartphone from HTC, with which they are to take photos during the day and post them on the YACHT and HTC Facebook pages. Shortly afterwards, the sheets rattle in the blocks on deck. The "twelve" in the sail rises towards the sky, the tightly sewn panels of the mainsail are filled with wind. "Vanity V" leans majestically to one side and immediately picks up speed. The water splashes, the wake bubbles. Grinning faces. Sailing in its most beautiful form.
The weather clears up. Numerous twelve-wheelers are cruising in the Kiel Fjord, sailing a classic regatta. "Vanity V" spontaneously joins in and races with her sister ships. Each of the participants gets a turn at the tiller. It's an unreal feeling to be in charge of such a large ship. An experience that will not soon be forgotten. Winner Birte Lämmle, 30, usually sails on a nine-metre Albin Ballad. Sailing on the twelve-metre boat, however, takes place much closer to the water: "a wonderful ship". Winner Klaus Wagner, 63, is also delighted: "What a great day on a dream yacht."
In glorious sunshine, we set off down the fjord and out into the Baltic Sea with eight knots of wind. Who would have thought that the day would turn out so beautifully? But then, just before the Kiel lighthouse, the weather suddenly changes and the thick clouds return. It starts to blow. There is not enough time to reef the sail. For 20 minutes, the ship beats back to Kiel in a strong wind, the rain and spray blowing horizontally across the deck. Yellow hoods shine from the deck of the "Vanity V". When it clears up, Schilksee is already in front of the bow again. A great trip on a breathtaking ship comes to an end. And with a crew that could hardly be more relaxed. "It's amazing how relaxed the skipper was," says Frank Heydasch, 27. "We were able to walk around everywhere on deck and set the course. The ship was completely ours for seven hours."
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While the guests make their way home beaming with joy, "Vanity V" quietly leaves the outer harbour of Kiel-Schilksee. The genoa opens on the forestay. The crew still has a long way to go and will sail through the night to Denmark.
