(Kiel, Germany)- Kieler Woche is promoted as the greatest sailing event
in the world and the largest summer waterfront festival in northern
Europe. With a nine-day program packed with over 2,000 events (including
many music stages of Germany's longest open-air festival with folk,
pop, rock and classical music on offer) to entertain three million
guests from all over the globe, their claim may not be far off the mark.
This year's 131st Kieler Woche, amongst the oldest sailing weeks in the
world, enabled millions to experience the maritime atmosphere of
"KIEL.SAILING.CITY"-- the theme for an entire city! 5,000 yachtsmen and
women, 50 countries, 2,000 yachts, dinghies and surfboards, almost 40
sailing events, and more than 400 planned regatta starts on eleven race
courses. The "Who's who" of sailing in Europe (if not top Olympic
sailors) lined up at the starting lines for this year's events.
Plus,
all the sailors and visitors experienced an endless forest of masts on
the banks of the bay, with over one hundred windjammers and traditional
sailing boats moored on the quayside. The fascination of tall ships
resulted in the windjammer parade with more than 100 ships taking part,
including the European Navy destroyers, frigates, corvettes, and
minesweepers from a whole host of countries that came together in
Tirpitz Harbour for the meeting of the Navy fleets.
Within that armada of ships and windjammers were one-design fleets of
J/24s and J/80s enjoying the festivities, camaraderie and great sailing.
The eighteen boat J/80 fleet experienced a bit of an "old-fashioned
schooling" of how to sail a J/80 fast and smart. After twelve 1sts in
thirteen races, Martin Menzner's team from Germany did have to sail the
last two races due to a double-throw out series. A mile behind in
second place was Hauke Kruss and friends and in third Flemming Dejernes
(top Netherlands team). The balance of the top five were Matthias
Herzberg in fourth and Niklas Ohling in fifth. For more Kieler Woche sailing information
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Strong J/80 Class at Kieler Woche!
Labels:
day sailor,
europe,
family,
germany,
j80,
offshore,
one-design,
racing,
sailboat,
sailing,
women,
youth
Location:
Kiel, Germany