134th Kieler Woche 2016 - Preview

Kieler Woche: German hopes rest with Malte Winkel and Matti Cipra © Marina Könitzer

The European Championship in the booming class J/70, which is also sailed in the national sailing leagues, as well as the International German Championship of the offshore sailors, of the Olympic Nacra 17 class and in the Paralympic classes 2.4mR and Sonar are further highlights of the Kieler Woche 2016 (18 until 26 June).

Approximately 4,000 active sailors from 50 nations will be presenting the whole spectrum of the sailing sport on ten race courses for nine days. The farewell of the German Olympic team, the appearance of real top sailors and the whole supporting programme make the Kieler Woche a top class event in its 134th year.

The list of classes attending Kiel Week is as impressive as ever...

Part 1 (18 until 21 June): 29er, 505, Albin Express, Contender, Europe, Flying Dutchman, Folkboat, F18, Hobie 16, J24, Laser 4.7, Laser Radial (open), Musto Skiff, OK Dinghy.

Part 2 (22 until 26 June): 2.4mR (IDM), 420, 470 (F), 470 (M/both with JWC), 49er, 49er FX, Finn, J/70 (EC), J/80, Laser Radial (F), Laser Std (M), Melges 24, Nacra 17, Sonar (IGC).

Part 3 - Offshore (18 until 25 June):
ORC Club I-IV, Mulithulls 3 classes (>39 ft, 30 up to 39 ft, < 30 ft), Albin Ballad.
Welcome Race 1. Race (Sat 18 June) Kiel-Eckernfoerde.
Race 2 (Sun 19 June) Eckernfoerde – Kiel.
Senatspreis (Wed 22 June): ORC Club I - IV.
Silbernes Band (24 until 25 June): ORC Club I - IV.

Offshore (Seesegel-) IGC (International German Championship):
Long Distance (Sat 18 June until Sun 19 June): ORCi I - IV.
Kiel-Cup Alpha (Mon 20 June until Wed 22 June): Short races: ORCi I - IV.

470 Junior Worlds

The Junior World Championship of the Olympic 470 class, taking place from 22 until 26 June, is one of the highlights of the Kieler Woche. "We are happy to be able to offer another highlight at the Kieler Woche with this World Championship. It fits to our concept to bring the international sailing youth to Kiel", says the head of organization of the Kieler Woche regattas, Dirk Ramhorst.

The event organisers are expecting around 100 starters. "Last time we had so many participants was in Greece, and we hope to get similar numbers of course", continues Ramhorst. German hopes rest with the reigning silver medal winner from Thessaloniki, Malte Winkel (Schweriner YC) and Matti Cipra (Plauer Wassersport Verein) from the Audi Sailing Team Germany.

Winkel/Cipra, who have been the sparring partners for the European Champions Ferdinand Gerz/Oliver Szymanski during the preparation period for the Olympics, are still allowed to start in the junior group U24 and want to use their last year as juniors to make their set of medals (with bronze and silver in the previous years) complete. "For us the Junior Worlds in Kiel are the perfect farewell from the junior class. We are very much looking forward to the event. After silver and bronze we are now aiming for gold in Kiel", says Malte Winkel.

At the same time, the German junior crew will try everything as a sparring partner to get Gerz/Szymanski ideally prepared for Rio. "This means a lot of training in Rio. We also see a big chance for us for further development. In the end we want to be in their spot in 2020", adds Cipra.

National coach Hendrik Ismar, who did initiate Kiel's application for hosting the Worlds, thinks his two young sailors can do really well on their home territory. With Frederike Loewe/Anna Markfort, the German Sailing Association DSV also has a string to its bow among the female sailors. The young sailors Theres Dahnke/Birte Winkel moving up the ranking in the 470, might also have good chances as mavericks in light winds.

The 470 Junior World Championship will start on 21. June at 8pm with a welcome party after the running-in of the nations from the Olympic flame to the Kieler Woche Lounge. And it finishes on Sunday, 26. June, around 4pm with the prize-giving ceremony.

www.kieler-woche.de