Kieler Woche-Champion 2009: Lennart Briesenick-Pudenz/Morten Massmann (Germany/49er). Photo: Kieler Woche/CBeeck
by Hermann Hell
’Kieler Woche has a special standing for us Germans,’ says Moana Delle, surfer of the German national team who will be competing with her fellow team members at this year’s 128th edition of Kieler Woche. ‘This is what we are expecting from our national team,’ confirms Nadine Stegenwalner, Sports Director of the German Sailor's Federation DSV the unique characteristics of the event. Here in Kiel on their home waters, the German stars want to show that they are part of the international high-class competition and with that prove themselves at ISAF Sailing World Cup. From 19 to 23 June ten Olympic classes and the Paralympic class 2.4mR will be on the race courses of Kieler Woche, until the 15 international classes will take over from 24 - 27 June. More than 5000 sailors from about 50 nations are again expected for the event (19 - 27 June). Meaning that during the ten days lasting regatta about 400 starts will be absolved by 2000 boats on ten race courses.
To carry out a successful event organizing clubs (Kieler Yacht-Club, Hamburger Segelclub, Norddeutscher Regatta Verein and VSaW Berlin) will be supported by their strong premium partners AUDI AG, Veolia, HSH Nordbank and boot Düsseldorf who will all together be looking towards Kieler Woche at the first press conference in Hamburg on 11 May 2010.
Very keen on Kieler Woche are Lennart Briesenick-Pudenz/Morten Massmann (Flensburg) and Moana Delle (Kiel) as they will be defending their titles. The 49er sailors and R:SX surfer both were the German Kieler Woche gold medallists in 2009. ‘It was an overwhelming feeling to win in Kiel. It was our first World Cup victory and that in our home waters. We will never forget the medal race which had the best conditions for sailors and the audience alike,’ is Lennart Briesenick-Pudenz looking back emotionally. ‘Sure it was a great feeling. It is always lovely to win a regatta and if it happens at home it is even better,’ remembers Moana Delle. One of her biggest competitors will be Sydney silver medallist Amelie Lux who is planning her comeback for 2012.
Sailing, sailing and even more sailing
’In order to let the classes sail as much as possible we abstained from any limitations concerning the maximum amount of races per day and series,’ said Jobst Richter, Chairman of the Kieler Woche races. Kiel has sufficient space available on the water: With ten racing areas each class will be allocated its own area so that consequently the number of races will only be determined by wind and weather conditions. ‘We are service providers to the sailors. That is why decisions in their favour can never be wrong. And we are confident that there will be a lot more racing than in the years before - because more sailing means more fun for sailors,’ comments Richter about Kieler Woche's self-confidence.
Welcome Race 2010
Many offshore sailors have been waiting for it and a very happy Eckhard von der Mosel, Chairman of Kieler Woche Offshore Committee announced the positive outcome of the negotiations: After four years of abstinence the first offshore race of Kieler Woche 2010 will again be from Kiel to Eckernförde and back. "The many spinnakers on the Kiel Fjord as well as the crowded harbour of Eckernförde - these are the pictures that the world associates with the beginning of Kieler Woche," says the offshore chairman passionately.
Kieler Woche: offshore-start. Photo: Kieler Woche/CBeeck
New Offshore Concept
Besides the long-distance offshore events, Kieler Woche will also offer a completely new concept for One-Design yachts. Especially smaller boats as Melges 24, J-80 and Laser SB3 prefer short ways to the race area with many and fast races rather than long- or mid-distance races starting on the Inner Fjord. For this, race area Foxtrott on the Outer Fjord will be available during the Olympic part (19-24 June) for offshore One-Design yachts which include apart from above mentioned classes also X-99, X-79, Streamline and Albin Express. At the same time the X-99 class has chosen the new concept to compete for North European Championship, as did Streamline with its German Cup.
Regatta Dates Kieler Woche 2010
19 - 23 June: Olympic Classes / ISAF Sailing World Cup
(470, 49er, 2.4mR open, Women Matchrace/Elliott 6m, Finn-Dinghy, Laser, Laser radial W, Neil Pryde RS:X, Starboat)
24 - 27 June: International Classes
(29er, 420, 505, Contender, Dragon, Europe, Flying Dutchman, Folkeboat, Formula 18, H-Boat, Hobie 16, J 24, Kielzugvogel, OK-Dinghy, Platu 25)
Offshore
19 - 20 June: Welcome Race from Kiel to Eckernförde and back (ORCi, ORC-Club)
19 - 23 June: Kiel-Cup Foxtrott (Albin Express, CB 66, J-80, Laser SB3, Melges 24, Streamline, X-79, X-99)
21 - 23 June: Kiel-Cup Alpha (ORCi) / German Open (Inshore)
23 June: Kaiserpokal (final race of all Kiel-Cup groups)
24 - 25 June: Silbernes Band, long-distance (ORCi, ORC-Club)
26 June: Senatspreis, short-distance (ORCi, ORC-Club)
Kieler Woche 2010
